To start a new post on Facebook, you enter into the field they provide that is labeled “What’s on your mind?” Answer quickly: What is on your mind right now? What has been in the past hour? The past 24 hours? The past week?
What I Really Do
My truthful answers would be:
- Scheduling and logistics
- Where am I supposed to be next?
- When am I supposed to be there?
- What do I need to do to prepare?
- News and politics
- What are the President, Congress, and the Courts up to?
- What other news is going on in the world?
- What are the media reporting about it?
- How is social media reacting to them?
- How much do I trust any of the above?
- My to-do-list
- Writing articles for this site
- Housework
- Exercise
- Hobbies
- Craft projects
- Food
- Where to eat, home or restaurant?
- What groceries do we need?
- Fast food or real restaurant?
- What do I have time for (see “scheduling and logistics”)?
- Can I afford the money?
- Can I afford the calories?
Notice, to my discredit, that “Bible Study” or “Prayer” or “Time with Jesus” are not the first things that are on my mind most days. They are there, but they get pushed aside and crowded out by news, activities, chores, and meals. Let me be the first to say that I am wrong. Please don’t follow this example.
What I Should Do Instead
Because my priorities are out of order, my life is less abundant than Jesus wants to provide. Also, I am not the best ambassador that I could be for Him. What am I missing out on, that I could be doing to advance His kingdom?
It would be better if I would follow the example of Matthew in The Chosen: “I have only one thing to do today. Follow Him. The rest takes care of itself.” (Season 4, Episode 2) But it is very difficult for me to focus like that!
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
Do not worry then , saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
Matthew 6:31-33
…
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Why I Should Change
What we focus on affects the rest of our day, eventually the rest of our life. The same circumstances can seem much easier, or much more difficult, depending on our attitude. One sort-of humorous example comes from my running days.
I set out on a planned five-mile run on a common route through the national park near my home. I was feeling cranky, and my legs even crankier. Within the first quarter mile, I was thinking about shortening the run, turning around at the four-mile point instead. Then I considered turning at just two miles…then at only one.
Just as I was ready to give up, turn around immediately and start walking back to my car, I encountered another runner. He was a visitor to the area looking for a good route. I suggested he join me for a bit while I pointed out the different options, depending on how far he wanted to run. As we chatted, I kept going instead of just sending him on his way. I ended up running seven miles that day, and enjoying it!
My legs didn’t change; my attitude did. Getting my mind off the aches and pains and onto a friendly conversation made a huge difference.
How much more true this is in our relationship with God! When I am paying attention to Him, the problems and worries of life don’t seem as all-consuming. Sure, they are still there: Bills have to be paid; health issues must be addressed; decisions need to be made. We live in a world full of challenges that can’t be ignored.
But we also live in a world that God created, where Jesus came to give His life to redeem us, and where He rose from the grave to defeat sin and death. He gives us a sure hope of an eternal world in His presence. That means that those challenges become opportunities to draw closer to God, and to stand in awe of His work in our lives.
There is a wonderful old hymn called “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus“. The chorus is:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.
How to Put Change into Practice
What are some practical ways to keep our eyes turned to Jesus? In everyday interactions, here are some that occur to me.
- When scheduling, ask how I can use my time to honor God.
- When checking the news, watch for ways God is working.
- When something in the news upsets me, talk to God about it. Ask Him to act in the situation, and trust that whatever He chooses to do will be right.
- When listing things to do, include listening to God through Bible study and talking to Him through prayer.
- When thinking about food and planning meals, thank God for His provision.
- When I’m stuck in traffic, use the time to talk to Jesus.
- When someone annoys me, pray for them as someone God deeply loves.
- When a decision needs to be made, ask Him for wisdom.
- When something needs to be done, ask how He wants me to take action…and then obey the answer!
Sometimes, though, life hits us with much bigger issues than a traffic jam or an annoying person. We, or someone we love, may have a serious illness. There may be surgeries, chemotherapy, chronic pain or debilitation. Those things are scary, even terrifying. Or there may be emotional trauma, abuse, depression, psychological crises of many variations. We may face the grief of losing a loved one. But even these very difficult problems can change when seen through the lens of God’s sovereignty, love, and care for us.
I once heard an amazing story of a godly woman using this lens. Her son had been very badly injured in a car wreck. On hearing the news, her husband immediately had a heart attack. She was splitting her time between the Intensive Care unit and the Cardiac Care unit at the same hospital. When someone asked how she was managing, her answer was “I’m waiting to see what God is going to do with this.” Now, that’s faith and perspective!
It’s not an old hymn, but there is another lovely song called “The Shepherd’s Point of View“. It tells us that, when we finish a journey through a valley and make it to the mountain top on the other side…
Things look different on the mountain
From the Shepherd’s point of view.
All the valley’s disappointments
Will never look the same to you.
Bottom Line
Don’t let the minutia of life distract you from your relationship with Jesus. Don’t even let the huge crises block your view of Him. Look at Him first, then look at the rest of life through Him. Your view will change dramatically!
One last song: Jason Crabb’s “When I Turn to You“. Then, I will find “rest and strength and sweet forgiveness and peace”. Amen!
Note: A couple of similar articles on this site are “Focus on God” and “In Christ“.
