Are You Looking at the Right Things?

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Have you ever found yourself so caught up in an argument that you completely forgot why you started in the first place? Or maybe the fight escalated, things were said and a friendship was broken. Then time went on and you some how forgot exactly why the fight started in the first place?  

    Or have you been so consumed with a project or some hobbies that you lost track of time and missed an important appointment? 

    It is incredibly easy to lose our way in the noise of life. Whether it’s a disagreement with a neighbor, a political debate, or a personal failure, our focus tends to drift toward the "noise" rather than the "Signal." With all the distractions in life it is easy to get lost. 

The Danger of a Divided Gaze

    Maintaining focus is a universal struggle. In fact, according to a 2023 study by the American Psychological Association, approximately 27% of American adults report that most days they are so stressed they cannot function, often citing the constant influx of divisive news and social media as a primary factor. We live in a world of "echo chambers" where we are encouraged to demonize those who disagree with us and isolate ourselves within our own viewpoints. 

    Whether the divide is Provax vs. Unvaxed, Republican vs. Democrat, or Pro-life vs. Pro-choice, these positions often lead to deep division. It can cause us to see one another as enemies and keep us from treating one another with dignity and respect. It can fracture relationships. It prevents us from have honest and real conversations that allow us to discuss and debate issues. We tend to jump to conclusions and begin to attack one another rather than taking the time to listen.

    Sadly, this division doesn't stop at the church doors. We often find ourselves identifying more with a political party or a social movement than with the Kingdom of God. We become so focused on our problems, hurts, and discomforts that we lose sight of the one who actually holds the solutions. We can get so lost in the noise that the world continues to get lost in that we fail to listen to the voice of the Savior. 

Returning to the Center

    The Church in Colossae faced a similar struggle (believe it or not, the church in the first century dealt with the same problems we deal with today!! 😂). They started strong—preaching the gospel and sharing their faith—but over time, they began letting the world’s ideas and "other teachers" influence them. They became divided and disunified. The Apostle Paul wrote to them not to offer a new political strategy, but to point them back to the only one who matters: Jesus Christ.

 "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard..."- Colossians 1:18-23 (NKJV)

Understanding the Supremacy of Christ

Paul's message is a "refocusing" tool. He uses three specific reasons why Jesus must be our primary focus:

  • He is the "Boss" (The Creator): Paul explains that all the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. Think of a massive corporation; it would be bizarre to see the CEO taking orders from the janitor. Yet, we often treat Jesus like our employee, living as if we are the ones in authority. We must remember He is the one who created and sustains us! We are HIS Servants!

  • He is the Savior (The Sacrifice): There was a boy in Metz, France, who was once saved from drowning by a three-year-old girl named Marie Paule Thielle. When the boy was safe on the shore he was upset. Instead of being grateful that this girl saved his life, the boy was upset because she had pulled his hair to keep his head above water. 

    Sometimes we focus on our "hair-pulling" inconveniences and problems rather than the fact that Jesus died to save us from our sins. We can forget the blessings we have received when we received salvation. There are times when we focus on all the struggles, pain and inconveniences in life that we forget how truly blessed we are in Christ.  

  • He is the Restorer (The Reconciler): Jesus didn't just save us from a penalty; He restored us to a relationship. Like the Prodigal Son who returned expecting to be a slave but was greeted with a robe and a ring, we have been moved from "enemy" status to being "holy and guiltless" in God's sight. 

Here is the good news! God is not done with you! He is still restoring you and molding your life. Life maybe difficult right now. Things may not be turning out the way you would hope. You may still be struggling with an addiction or some besetting sin. You maybe focusing on all these issues, but take the time to remind yourself of the work God has done in you, the work that He is doing and the work in you that He will one day accomplish! Your not finished and neither is He! 

Applying the Lens of Christ to Your Life

    How do we practically "readjust our focus" today? It starts by asking different questions. Instead of asking "How does this political move affect my rights?" or "How can I win this argument?", we should ask:

  • What does Jesus want in this situation?

  • How can I serve Him through this difficulty?

  • Am I identifying more with a movement than with the Kingdom of God?

When we stop focusing on our past mistakes and the issues of the world, and instead focus on the one who made our sins "white as snow," our perspective shifts from anxiety to peace.

A Final Thought for the Week:

    The next time you feel the weight of a divided world or the sting of a personal failure, ask yourself: "Who is the head of my life right now?" 

    If your focus is on the "noise," you will always feel unsettled. But if you fix your eyes on the one who is the Head of the Church, the Savior of your soul, and the Restorer of your life, you will find a firm foundation that the world cannot shake. Don't let the distractions of today rob you of the peace of Christ.

Location: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA

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