Tag: Hebrews 12

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FOCUS!

Do you have trouble focusing? By definition, focus is more than just seeing something clearly. It can also mean, getting your mind wrapped around what needs to be done. And if we’re honest, that can sometimes be a difficult task.

Sometimes I wonder why it is so hard for me to focus. But the truth is, circumstances affect my thoughts. The ‘obstacles’ that affect my focus may be external or they may be internal. Externally, we might lose our focus when a truck (or even a bird) is heard outside the window, or cookiesthe wafting smell of fresh, homemade cookies baking in the kitchen. Even the shadow of a dark cloud covering over the sun can cause my focus to turn toward the skies. Perhaps ‘focus’ is a fragile thing to be swayed by such small factors. Unfortunately our focus is so splinted in life, that we find ourselves focused on so many things that we miss what’s most important. Work, sports, entertainment, even ‘self’ seems to be our focus today. Take a look at your iPhone, how many ‘selfies’ do you have in your photos? You see, we are good at focusing on our self and too often miss the ‘big picture’ (no pun intended.) And since focusing is a Biblical idea, let me ask you to ‘focus’ on and consider the Hebrew writer’s admonitions…

Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

We must determine that our focus in life will be on Jesus Christ, the ‘Author and Perfecter’ of our fix your eyesfaith. And we must be willing to FIX our focus on Him! When we do that, all the other worldly sensations will cease to ‘allure me’ or compete for my attention. The sounds outside the window, the aromas that entice and the sights that distract can be more easily ignored. Ken Young penned a song (psalm) that takes these words, almost verbatim, and gives us an idea of how we keep our focus on Him.

“Surrounded by those who have traveled this road, we throw off the heavy and hindering load. The sin that entangles (distracts us), we lay it aside and run with our EYES ON THE ONE CRUCIFIED.” Consider Him, who endured such opposition from sinful men. Consider Him, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

There are those who believe the person who is ‘unfocused’ needs to be medicated. Of course they do…have you not read Luke 5:27-32, Jesus IS the great physician. But seriously, the only medication you need if you’re having trouble focusing, is to fix your eyes on Christ. Not the world, not the ‘ladder of success,’ and certainly not your own accomplishments. Throw off the entanglements of the world, and run towards the Savior with your eyes ‘focused’ on Him! We know that in life, you have to run with your ‘eyes on the prize,’ but too often our eyes are on the wrong prize. So what will be your focus…the world or the Christ.

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The Extra ‘Last’ Mile

In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us how far we should be willing to go.  Not only for those who are kind and deserving, but also for those who you are not deserving.
Read the following scripture:

selfishness“…if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. (not exactly a friendly encounter) And whoever shall force (not ask) you to go one mile, go with him two.”  How could our Lord and Savior expect us to do kind things to someone who is attacking and forcing us with a selfish attitude?  Does it make sense that we should just ‘roll over’ and give in to the demands of a cruel, somewhat childish, but most certainly domineering personality?  In this same passage Jesus says in verse 39…“But I tell you, do not resist and evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  How does God expect us to just stand around and be a punching bag to a violent, egocentrically strong-arm?  Will your conscience let you do that?

Remember I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not let you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  This should give us confidence to know that even when things are hard to understand, God will help us overcome difficult circumstances.  When we are ‘forced’ to go the extra mile, we do it because of Christ’s example.

In 1908, Johnson Oatman wrote a song that reminds me of going the extra mile.  The chorus resounds with the title, “When I’ve gone the last mile of the way, I will rest at the close of the day, and I know there are joys that await me when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.”  Notice each verse as the song builds; we consider working daily (vs.1), to seeking the lost (vs 2), all the way to the end of this physical life (vs 3) and final till we reach the hope of eternal life (vs. 4).

“If I walk in the pathway of duty, red river day 5 (part 2) 005
if I work till the close of the day,
I shall see the great King in His beauty
when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.


If for Christ I proclaim the glad story,
if I seek for His sheep gone astray,
I am sure He will show me His glory
when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.


Here the dearest of ties we must sever,
tears of sorrow are seen every day;
but no sickness, no sighing forever
when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.


And if here I have earnestly striven
and have tried all His will to obey,
’twill (it will) enhance all the rapture (joy) of heaven
when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.”

In a life that is filled with difficulties and hardships, all the while laced with seemingly unfair circumstances, we often wonder why we must go any further.  Why shouldn’t we stand up and say enough is enough.  Perhaps our answer comes in the 12th chapter of Hebrews, “…consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Do you feel like the extra mile is too much for you?  So how far are you willing to go?  What is your breaking point?  Will you truly go the extra mile?  If you will honestly walk in the pathway of duty, and if you will truly work till the close of the day you can rest assured there are joys that await you when you’ve gone the last mile of the way!