Where's Our Focus?

For the last few days I've been thinking about life. In our lives, there are many things we can and often do focus on. For example, when we want a good picture to capture the moment we are in (a trip to Disneyland, marriage ceremony, our kids birthday, etc.) we focus our camera. When we’re testing for something significant (Driver’s License, the yearly eye exam/vision test, that promotion at work, exam at school) we focus our attention to the particular object or task. Our focus remains constant and we don't want any distraction to take us away from what our sole focus is.

But the hard question I've been asking myself this week (the question that I want to pose to you is), how often do we focus on Jesus when life gets tough? Do we look to other things like our spouse, kids, financial investments, or job security before we look to Jesus? Is He our first or last resort?

Well today I'd like to share what the Bible says about how we can restore our focus, get back on track, and keep our focus on Jesus in all our situations and circumstances.

The Apostle Paul’s continual focus on Jesus allowed him to stare anything (even death) right in the face without any fear, knowing that whether he lived or died, he could not lose. I find his thoughts on this subject both profound and very encouraging. Check out what Paul says in Philippians 1:19-26- "For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

If we want to stay focused on Jesus, when things are good and especially in the hard times of life, we need to know:

1) Deliverance Is Coming (v.19)
In the face of any adversity or affliction, God has given us the assurance that He will deliver us (Romans 8:28- “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”).

2) Losing Is Not An Option (v.20-24)
What can you do to someone who doesn’t fear death? How do you punish them? Paul’s main purpose in living was to glorify Jesus, because Christ was the essence of his life. His concern was not what would happen to him but what testimony would be left for His Lord. Release from prison would allow him to continue to preach about Jesus, death would result in him being with Jesus for eternity. Christians have nothing to lose because losing is not an option.

3) God Has A Plan And Purpose (v.25-26)
Paul trusted that if God allowed him to live, God would not only deliver him, but also use him to reach others with the Gospel. Paul knew God would bless his work and continue to use him as a witness just as He had done in the past.

When we place every situation (the good, the bad & the ugly), every circumstance (difficult or easy) in God’s hands, we realize and experience His good, perfect, and pleasing will. God created us, and Jesus calls us, to be spiritually contagious to a lost and separated world. When we give God the reigns of our lives, He works faith into our lives and gives us the opportunity to influence and impact our world with the goodness, grace, mercy, and forgiveness that only Jesus offers. Are you ready to be contagious for Jesus?