looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:02, NKJV).
Choices, choices. Who or what to look at in this life.
We in the West live in an atmosphere of constant mental and visual stimulus. It has rightly been termed the Information Age. More data (accurate and inaccurate) about more things are available to more people more quickly than ever before. In fact, I suspect there will soon be a lengthy designation in the DSM V describing an officially recognized syndrome swirling around information overload.
The symptoms include shortened attention span, a frenetic need for distraction, and an inability to take a stand or form a rationally founded opinion for more than a few seconds.
And embedded in all this freely flowing information is an immense volume of temptation to sin.
In some ways, it is harder now than ever before for a Christian to set his or her mind on things above because of the riotous cacophony and sheer volume of earthly intrusions. The list is endless, from social networking and gaming, to innumerable broadcast channels, to literally millions of websites within instant reach on the internet.
And this connectivity is becoming increasingly portable with ubiquitous networks, tablets, smartphones, iPhones, smaller and smaller laptops, pc's, and other electronic conduits. There is almost no place to hide.
And this trend has increased exponentially over just the past few years, apparently fulfilling this Old Testament prophecy:
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4, NKJV).
If ever a period of human history could be characterized by increasing knowledge, ours is it. But in the increase of knowledge, there is no guarantee of a concomitant increase in wisdom, and that is equally clear today. For wisdom, even in the form of common sense, is an increasingly rarefied commodity.
Much of this avalanche of data is aimed against godly living, either directly or indirectly. Yet, like all things the world system intends for evil, God often uses for good, so that counterbalancing the tsunami of darkness is a constant and powerful flow of light and truth. God will always have His remnant.
So this brings us to the question, where is your focus predominantly centered? Is it the world or your circumstances or yourself, or where the Bible exhorts us to focus - on Jesus? There are so many indisputably good reasons for our focus to be on Christ, but to know them you must first put aside the distractions of this life, and delve deeply into God's Word.
In turn, to do this, you must - you MUST - set aside regular and frequent time immersed in God's truth, rather than in the overwhelming flood of worldly stimulus. This is often hard to do, but vitally necessary in order to live a life in accord with God's, rather than man's purposes.
Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29, NKJV).
Job declared that "…I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food." (Job 23:12, NKJV).
Otherwise, even as a Christian, you forfeit so much that is good and strengthening and encouraging in this life. By looking unto Jesus rather than the raucous enticements and distractions of the world you may obtain that precious peace that passes all understanding. Your soul and your heart can remain steadfast and unmoved by the utter chaos of events, emotions, and tides of history roiling around you. You are able to hear that still small voice within directing you to follow the way of light and life and love.
This does not mean that you live cloistered or in isolation from the world. It does not mean that you sit idly by and let evil run rampant and unchecked. Instead, you live life as being fully in the world but not of the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be God's living witness to those in darkness around you. Understanding in all things what is real and true and important because you approve of, and are informed by, the very Author of truth Himself.
Looking unto Jesus is the ONLY way to accomplish this effectively, because only Jesus will never, ever disappoint, or leave you nor forsake you.
Only Jesus loved you so much that He paid the price for your sin on the Cross.
Only Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Only Jesus can present you spotless and without blemish to the Father so that you become co-heirs with Christ, and reap all the immeasurable benefits of eternal life in the presence of God Himself.
The Apostle Peter displayed remarkable courage and faith when he stepped out of that boat on the raging Sea of Galilee and began to walk toward his Savior. As long as he gazed steadfastly at Jesus, he remained victorious over his circumstances.
But when he refocused on the wind and the waves, and on the seeming impossibility of what he was doing, he sank rapidly into the sea.
What more vivid a lesson could we be given than this episode?
And though he failed to maintain his astounding moment of faith, even in his failure we are taught a way of escape. For what did he cry in his weakness?
"Lord Jesus save me!"
So here we have the means of a life lived as more than conquerors, and also the way of rescue when we inevitably fall short.
Both are centered on Jesus, where all of our focus and energy and devotion and worship should be.
