Thursday, January 14, 2021
…[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Hebrews 12:2 Amplified Bible
Looking For A Distraction
Here we are again, new year but the same crazy world. Now many of us are wanting to be distracted from what is going on in the world. But we can’t use some of our usual distractions - like social media and TV - because what we want to be distracted from is all over every platform. Even if you have been ignoring it, seeing a post spikes curiosity and one thing leads to another and you are reading all about everything you didn’t want to know.
Now is the time for us to look to Jesus and get distracted by Him; to focus our eyes on Him and only Him. All eyes are on the government, the inauguration, the election results, the mess on social media, and not on Jesus. This is just what Satan wants. He wants us distracted, and then we become obsessed, and then we become afraid, and we are not looking to the only one who holds all the answers. He already knows the outcome of every single event we will witness this year.
I chose the Amplified Bible version of Hebrews 12:2 because I love the way it lays it all out. The verse says that we need to look away from all that distracts us and focus on Jesus. Looking away is the key. We will not automatically be free from distraction. If anything, it will be even harder to be intentional when the devil knows we are trying. All these distractions are no good for us. They breed fear, they distort truth, and they know exactly what techniques to use to trap us. But Jesus is the Author and Perfecyor of our faith - meaning that He was the reason for our belief and He will bring it all the way to maturity. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end - and everything in between. One translation says He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. I like that because He is holding the beginning and the ending of our journey. He wrote our story from start to finish and He knows every twist and turn along the way. We can look to Him for our direction, our safety, our peace, our comfort, and everything else we need.
Focus is about removing the things in your life that are not important and paying attenting to what is really important. When we focus on Him, no matter what is happening around us we can have peace because we know that He will bring us through. He is the way. He is in control of everything, even what is seemingly raging out of control.
I am not writing this as a hypocrite, because I do worry sometimes and let the world scare me a bit. It is not that I don’t have faith. It is because I am human. Jesus knew we would struggle with this, which is why there are so many good words in the Bible about faith, and persevering, and focusing on Him. He knew that we would understand, but at times we would waver because of what is in front of us.
Take your eyes off whatever it is that has you wavering. Look away from all that distracts you and let Jesus do what He is supposed to do. Look to the one who understands your heart and pursues you anyway. Focus on Him - the Author and Perfecter of YOUR faith. He began a good work in you, and He will finish it as He perfects your faith.
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
