Setting Our Focus
Posted by: bneumann848 <bneumann848@...>
Set your mind on things above, not on
things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)
When offensive running back Arian Foster of
the Houston Texans (American football) was a kid, his teacher asked what he wanted to be when he
grew up. Arian said he wanted to play professional football and his teacher asked
what else he wanted to be. His goal, she said, “wasn’t practical.” Through high
school and college, he was told he wasn’t fast enough, strong enough. Every
time he heard no, can’t, impossible, it only strengthened his determination. He
was unchosen in the draft. As a free agent, the Texans selected him for their
practice squad. In 2010, he got his chance on the starting line and finished
the season with 1,616 rushing yards – the highest total for any undrafted running
back in the league.
Another
famous Texans player is defensive end J.J. Watt – respected for his unwavering determination
on the field and his character off of it. Despite being a stand-out athlete in
football, basketball, baseball and track and field (shot put) in high school,
he was given only a two-star ranking for the college draft. He recently signed a
six-year $100 million contract extension with the Texans. The next day, he arrived
at the gym at 3:00 AM to begin working out. When asked about the contract, he
said, “Money doesn’t motivate me; greatness does.”
Jesus
came to earth for one purpose – to be the Way for mankind to be reconciled to
God. Every day of His life He was destined for the cross. And when He came
face-to-face with the horrific torment He would endure, the bible says He was
able to go through it because He never lost sight of His goal (Hebrews 12:2).
That
same verse tells us that we are to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of
our faith. Colossians 3:2 tells us to keep our eyes on Him; set our affections
on Him; to savour (or understand) those things that are above. The Message
Bible puts it this way:
“So
if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like
it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t
shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of
you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the
action is. See things from his perspective.”
The
start of a new year is a great time to reset our focus, to turn away from
the distractions of this world and make it our determined purpose to pursue Him. There’s a greater goal, a higher purpose than
just getting through each day. And whether this moment brings success or
failure in this world’s estimation, may each day find us pressing on toward the
goal to win the prize for which God has called us
heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
Until
the trumpet sounds!
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