It Takes Focus
By Caron Cline
Burke County
Forty years ago, the thought of stepping into a new millennium seemed almost ludicrous. Yet this generation is entering the 23rd year of the 21st century and the days are evaporating as quickly as the dew. One never knows what the future holds and what a blessing that can be! Will the events of this year produce prosperity and peace or be filled with trouble and anxiety? The course of the year will follow our focus. Will we allow our thoughts to be drawn to those things that are emotionally draining, physically demanding, and spiritually defeating? Or will we allow our thoughts to be drawn to the promises of God?
A spirit of oppression hovers over the lives of too many believers these days and one must remain diligent and intentional in order to experience the victorious and abundant Christian life. The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of their faith. Our Lord set His eyes toward the cross and the redemption His sacrifice would purchase. Every drop of the Savior’s blood was spilled at Calvary as all mankind’s sins fell upon Him; indeed, He actually became sin. Despite the horror of the cross, Jesus kept His eyes on fulfilling the will of His Father. This concentrated focus produced a supernatural joy that no suffering could erase.
Hebrews 12:3 promises that fixing our eyes on Jesus and His sacrifice will protect believers from becoming weary and losing heart. After all, no one has ever experienced the anguish of body, soul, and spirit that Jesus experienced. We have no reason to drown in discouragement. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, according to Colossians 3:3. No safer refuge exists, and focusing on this truth radically changes one’s perspective. The promises in God’s Word are opportunities to overcome the deceptive forces assaulting hearts and minds. Despite the waves that may crash over the ships of our lives in 2023, fixing our eyes on Jesus will lead us safely to shore.
Beholding the face of our Lord reminds us that all the promises of God are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ in Him. The word of God is filled with amazing promises which will be released in time of need. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Focusing on Jesus also reminds us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is a ‘with us’ God, Who understands every situation and has the solution before the problem even arises. (Hebrews 13:5) Fixing our eyes on Christ will remind us that He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. The size of the storm is inconsequential, for He is completely sovereign over everything and will use it for good.
The key to abundant life is remaining focused on Jesus Christ. Our footsteps will follow our focus and by beholding Him, we will become more like Him, walking as He walked, loving as He loved, and overcoming as He overcame.
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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.
Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
You can read more Christian News from Caron HERE.
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