FOCUS II

As I was reading John 5:1-15 this morning, the word ‘focus’ kept coming to mind. Out of curiosity I went back to look at what I had written in my blog on a previous time through the book of John. Sure enough, I had written about focus. But interestingly enough my ‘focus’ was in a different place. The man was sitting by the pool called Bethesda where healings regularly took place and didn’t recognize that Jesus was the one who could heal. He wanted Jesus to be the one to push him into the water so he could be healed. (Read more at https://wonderingthrutheword.blogspot.com/2009/08/focus_26.html.) This morning I focused on the Jewish leaders and where they were focused. 

Amazingly, when a man who had been an invalid for 38 years walked by them carrying his mat, they didn’t even seem to notice that he was walking – an invalid for 38 years was walking! They were focused on their law about how much a person could carry on a Sabbath and how far he could go. And this man was violating their law. How dare he carry a mat on the Sabbath?

So I am pondering this and wondering how anyone could be so focused on one thing that they totally miss what is important in a situation. What are the ‘laws’ in our churches that keep us so focused we cannot see the miraculous workings of God in the lives of our fellow human beings all around us? Is it possible we are missing the amazing miracles of God because we are focused on our own projects or agendas? 

Are we annoyed with the child in the Sunday School class who keeps disrupting the flow of the lesson with questions because our goal is to teach the lesson rather than bring children to Jesus? Are we annoyed with the neighbor who keeps coming over to talk when we are trying to get the lawn mowed because we are more focused on our yard work than on building relationship that will lead someone to Jesus? Are we slow to spend time with coworkers who are lower in the system because we are more focused on climbing the career ladder than on building relationships that will lead others to Jesus?

Lord, help me today to be in touch with your heart. Help me to not miss the miracles you are doing all around me because I am too focused on my agenda. I want to be available to participate in your agenda for the day – leading people into your kingdom. Open my eyes to focus where you want me to focus. Thank you. In Jesus precious and holy name, Amen.

Focused and Ready for Battle

We just returned last evening from a quiet week in a cabin situated on the top of a mountain tucked way back in a hollow. Surrounded by mountains full of trees and a creek winding its way through the valley below, we heard mostly breezes in the tree tops, birds singing and chirping, and water tumbling over rocks as it found its way to the river. A couple of times a day, we could hear a vehicle moving slowly along the narrow gravel road that followed the creek through the valley. But for the most part, we did not hear sounds made by humans but rather we heard the sounds of nature at its best.

It was a delightful week of rest, communing with the Lord and His creation. Amazingly, each morning I woke up early – between 5 and 6 a.m. – and was excited to get up and visit with the Lord and the birds. I listened carefully to the birds and tried to identify specific birds. Because it was just the right time for the bird migration, there were many new and different voices than I normally hear. And while I was out on the deck level with the tops of many of the trees, I was reading devotionals and my Bible and letting God speak to me as well. The peace and presence there was almost palpable.

This morning, I woke up at home in my own bed. The window was open and I could hear birds singing in the trees. But I lay there and didn’t want to get up. I would cover my head and go back to sleep and an hour later wake up again and turn over and go back to sleep. At about 8:30 a.m. I was ready to hear God’s voice and I asked Him, “Why did I wake up so early in the mountains and jump out of bed with anticipation and excitement and at home I almost resent morning coming and destroying my rest?” And His answer was clear and simple. “What were you focused on when you woke up in the mountains? And what are you focused on when you wake up here?” And I realized that when I wake up at home, I have an agenda for the day that is bigger than I’ll ever get done and I am overwhelmed before I even get out of bed. In the mountains, my agenda in the morning is to spend time with the Lord and commune with His creation. 

I have been reading through I Samuel and the history and experiences of Saul and David. We all know the story of David killing Goliath. And we cheer for the “underdog” who overcame the giant. But in light of my wonderings this morning, I saw the experience of Saul vs. the experience of David. Saul and his army had been taunted for 40 days before David arrived. The giant bellowed at them and pointed out his strength and experience and their weakness and inexperience. And Saul, though he was head and shoulders taller than the others, hid behind his army and would not lead his men into the battle by fighting Goliath. David, on the other hand, had no idea that he “couldn’t” win this battle. He called on his previous experiences with the Lord rescuing him from the lion and the bear and figured Goliath was just another animal and God would show up and help him defeat the giant. Not only that, but David was astounded that the Israelites couldn’t see that they were the “army of the living God” and not the weak, inexperienced servants of a weak, inexperienced king. 

When Saul finally agreed to let the “boy” David go fight Goliath, he wanted to dress David in the armor of the world. But David soon knew that it would only hold him back. He chose to dress only in the armor of the Lord and drew on his experience fighting animals and picked up a few smooth stones and took his slingshot and went to face the giant. Goliath was amused but David was undaunted by the giant’s jeering. He spoke truth over the situation – “I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head… and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!” I Samuel 17:45-46 NLT. And that is exactly what happened.

As I wondered through that passage of Scripture, it occurred to me that I have been getting up in the morning with the “worries of this world” jeering at me and calling me weak and incapable of overcoming them. No wonder I don’t want to get up! I’ve already lost the battle before I even put my feet on the floor! It is time to change my focus. I serve in the army of the Living God and He will win the battle. I need to go forward armed with that truth each day and pick up my ammunition through time in His Word. I need to remember the many times the Lord has fought for me and won over the “bears” and “lions” in my life, and He will win over the “giants” too.

Lord, I know that most days have an “agenda” because the cares of this world are real. But You, Lord, speak truth over that agenda in a way that I often don’t see. Open my eyes to see Your truth being spoken and coming forth. I say with David, “Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head… and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!” Thank You for this reminder. Amen