HOW'S YOUR FOCUS?
Life Lenses from Paul
Tired of switching from glasses for distance to those for reading, Benjamin Franklin the brilliant statesman of yesteryear, invented bifocals. His invention began when he cut the lenses of each pair of glasses in half then placed the reading ones below those for distance. Viola! The birth of bifocals – a vision solution for millions.
As we move on in years, it’s not only our eyes that need a sharper focus. We need reminders, to-do lists, hints on a calendar, maybe even strings on our fingers. But when the cares of this life have us scrambling from one thing or thought to the next, how do we prioritize what really matters?
Perhaps we’re overly concerned with things beyond our control. Our lives can revolve around a misplaced drive to succeed; futile desires to please others; inordinate focus on our outward appearance or how we’re perceived. We might even have unrealistic expectations. If that's not enough, we can stumble in a blur of worry and fear.
Our pursuits will sometimes obstruct or cloud our focus until we're blinded to what truly matters.
Paul saw through lenses we may yet need to discover when he said "...one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV)
What a wonderful perspective! Paul wanted to succeed. He strove to win God's prize. To do that, he had to forget everything behind him. Then, with laser-like focus, he kept his eyes forward. On Jesus alone.
With or without Benjamin Franklin's corrective lenses, we can learn from Paul and zero in on the goals God has set for us. And delight in Him.
We can't change what's behind us, and only God can see what's up ahead. But, focused on Him, He helps us attain the prize!
Are your sights fixed on Jesus? :)
