Have you noticed how challenging it is to stay focused on any given task in our fast-paced life styles? Children and adults alike move rapidly, shifting their attention from one subject to another in a frantic attempt not to miss anything that seems interesting. Although technology has allowed us to reach extensively into vast veins of information, it leaves us with a growing challenge. Rather than pursuing a greater depth with the subject at hand, we are drawn by the attraction of the next item of interest.
Focus is defined as “the center of interest or activity”, or “an act of concentrating interest or activity on something.” Synonyms such as nucleus, core, priority, heart, and cornerstone add more meaning to the word. While the world we live in offers many different avenues of focus, the Kingdom of Heaven offers one. The book of Revelations describes a scene in which the apostle John is taken through a spiritual door into heaven, allowing him to enter into the very throne room of God. At the center of all activity was the very focal point of Heaven.
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (Revelations 5:6,9)
Whether we realize it or not, the object of our focus, can become the object of our heart’s devotion and worship. Every day we make conscious and sometimes subconscious decisions that set the compass of our heart on a certain course. As we follow these different routes they all eventually end at a central point. We dedicate our time, money, and energy to material things and relationships that we believe will bring us pleasure and purpose. Eventually all paths lead to a final throne, where only one thing rules over our hearts and receives our worship. This weekend throughout the world, as Christ followers celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior, all eyes and hearts have a singular focus,
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelations 5:13-14)
Even though we may spend a lot of our time pursuing temporary interests, which in the end can lead us along paths of pain and disappointment, by the blood of the Lamb, we can enter into a kingdom focus that sets us on a course of intimacy with God and love for our fellow man.
Steps in Pursuit:
- In Psalm 27, the psalmist describes overcoming any fear by keeping his focus on the Lord. Worship places our focus back on the Lord and repositions our hearts in a place of intimacy with God. Take some time to pray this Psalm over your heart.
- Evaluate the cost on relationships and other areas in your life when distractions have cut short the amount of investment that has been made to deepen connections and commitments.
- What are the distractions that vie for your attention? How much time do you spend shifting from one focus to another? Prayerfully ask God to strengthen your ability to recognize what is worthy of your focus and what is merely distraction.
As our hearts and minds become singularly focused on worshipping God and living a life that is solely centered on Jesus Christ as our cornerstone, we are able to experience the pleasure that comes from Kingdom life. Until next time…
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
