There is a lot in scripture about paths and direction and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus isn't there? But we live in a world where ADD or attention deficit disorder is widespread and very prevalent in most people. I have never gotten a diagnosis about whether I am ADD or not, but I'm pretty sure I have many of the symptoms of the disorder. If I am talking on the phone with someone and trying to get information from them and my wife tries telling me something I freak out and become angry because my brain goes into crisis mode and I can't keep track of either conversation. I also get distracted very easily if I don't keep my focus on the task at hand and I can be led off on some tangent and forget what I was doing originally.
If you have ever seen the movie UP, you can relate to this picture and except for the black nose and long ears, this is a true picture of me at times. I will be doing some task and someone will interrupt me in the middle of it and I will not say Squirrel, but it truly happens. I get distracted. And from my heart, I want to state "I do not like getting distracted." In fact, it gets me angry and frustrated and I become a very "ramped up" individual. So, I do whatever I can to keep from getting distracted. As I write this blog in my office I can hear other staff members from my church out in the hallway making noise and I have to concentrate to shut out the noise so I can clearly keep my mind on what I am doing. I guess I want to hear what they are saying and still keep writing this blog when what they are saying is not the important thing. So it comes back to priorities. In Proverbs 4 the scripture reads Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Our focus needs to be on what is ahead of us and that way we won't get caught off guard when we need to make a decision that could impact our lives. In Hebrews 12:1-2 it says, Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. The writer there gives a "point of reference" for us and that point is Jesus. Jesus is not someone we ask to tag along for when we need Him. Jesus is our point of reference in all decisions we make and this is how He directs our path and keeps us focused on what He wants. How do we keep focused on Jesus? By drawing closer to Him in every area of our lives. James 4:8 says 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty, is divided between God and the world. We cannot keep having these "squirrel" distractions or we will become frustrated with the ups and downs of our lives. We must make a plan for focusing, which brings us back to our scripture in Proverbs 4:26 where it says 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Why is this necessary? Because the path that Jesus blazed for us by defeating death, hell, and the grave was a defining mark He set before those who would come to Him. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. The word only pretty well sums up the importance of the path before us. We come to Jesus through a narrow gate and we live for Jesus on a very straight path that is focused on Jesus and His ways and that way is also called the "safe" path.There is a very unsafe path that leads to evil and a person that follows that path and gets distracted from the right path will end up where they should not be. The reason this happens is we get "sidetracked" and the focus that should be solely on Jesus is divided between the "world" and God!! Danger Will Robinson, DANGER!! The warnings in God's Word are not just words put on a sheet of paper, but they are the guidelines for living the focused life. Focused on Jesus that is. That focus begins when we accept Jesus and continues as we "walk with God" and learn of His ways and live them. The end result of that life is a life that is constantly growing in their relationship with the God of the universe. That life is a life of purpose and direction.....God's direction. It is not rocket science and it should not surprise us that God is the best direction we can follow. The following story is a vivid reminder that Christians sometimes cannot see the forest for the trees and miss the great truth that God is our only true compass and He is constantly showing us where to go and what to do if we will just consult Him.
A man on a flight across America in 1976 rose from his seat, drew a gun and took the stewardess hostage. "Take me to Detroit," he said. "We're already going to Detroit," she replied. "Oh...good," he said and sat down again.
So sit down and follow God's Word cause He already has a plan mapped out for you and it is called God's will.
The Pilgrimage continues....
David Warren
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