What is your focus?
Have you ever been watching a video and wished you could see things from a different angle? Perhaps, you wanted to see over the shoulder of the hero or look at another angle of the landscape. Well, with many DVD’s you now have the opportunity to do just that. You can select alternative viewpoints for many of the scenes. Most movies are originally shot from a range of angles. But the director determines what we see in the final cut.
In a similar way, our view of life is determined by whoever plays the role of the “director” in our lives. Philosophers have long argued about what makes up “reality”. Who decides what is real? Two people can view the same event and describe it differently. Two people can be in an argument and report it in entirely different ways to their friends. Who is telling the truth? Which version is the “right” version? What “really” happened? There may be a variety of answers to these questions.
So, how can we develop a helpful perspective on life? The Bible says,
“Let us run with perseverance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the One on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12:2)
It teaches us that life is like a race, which God has marked out for us to run. This race is a marathon not a sprint. It requires perseverance and endurance to last the distance. It is easy to become weary and discouraged. To stay on track and finish the race we need to keep things in perspective. This happens when we “fix our eyes on Jesus”. He has gone ahead of us in the race, and is described as “the One on whom our faith depends from beginning to end”. In a wilderness setting where there are no clear paths such a person is called a “trailblazer”. They make a new path for others to follow. Jesus has done this for us.
God has a plan and direction for our personal lives and world affairs. But we may not see it if we are looking from the wrong “angle”. It is only when we “fix our eyes on Jesus” that things come into focus. The Holy Spirit is like the movie director. He puts the scenes of life together from God’s viewpoint. Many other people and forces will suggest a different angle or focus. But when Jesus is in the picture we see life as God intended. How can we do this?
Firstly, we are encouraged to consider Christ’s sacrifice. As we contemplate the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf we are made aware of his great love. We also realise that he understands our struggles and shares in our hardships.
Secondly, we need to remember God’s character. When we face difficult and testing times we may be tempted to think that God has forgotten us. Alternatively, we may think God is punishing us as a sign of his anger. In contrast, the Bible tells us that God uses the hard times to direct and correct our paths in the way of Jesus. His discipline trains us and his punishment strengthens and purifies us to be more like him.
What are you focussing on? Who is the “director” setting the angle from which you view life? Focus on Jesus for a new look at life.
In a similar way, our view of life is determined by whoever plays the role of the “director” in our lives. Philosophers have long argued about what makes up “reality”. Who decides what is real? Two people can view the same event and describe it differently. Two people can be in an argument and report it in entirely different ways to their friends. Who is telling the truth? Which version is the “right” version? What “really” happened? There may be a variety of answers to these questions.
So, how can we develop a helpful perspective on life? The Bible says,
“Let us run with perseverance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the One on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12:2)
It teaches us that life is like a race, which God has marked out for us to run. This race is a marathon not a sprint. It requires perseverance and endurance to last the distance. It is easy to become weary and discouraged. To stay on track and finish the race we need to keep things in perspective. This happens when we “fix our eyes on Jesus”. He has gone ahead of us in the race, and is described as “the One on whom our faith depends from beginning to end”. In a wilderness setting where there are no clear paths such a person is called a “trailblazer”. They make a new path for others to follow. Jesus has done this for us.
God has a plan and direction for our personal lives and world affairs. But we may not see it if we are looking from the wrong “angle”. It is only when we “fix our eyes on Jesus” that things come into focus. The Holy Spirit is like the movie director. He puts the scenes of life together from God’s viewpoint. Many other people and forces will suggest a different angle or focus. But when Jesus is in the picture we see life as God intended. How can we do this?
Firstly, we are encouraged to consider Christ’s sacrifice. As we contemplate the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf we are made aware of his great love. We also realise that he understands our struggles and shares in our hardships.
Secondly, we need to remember God’s character. When we face difficult and testing times we may be tempted to think that God has forgotten us. Alternatively, we may think God is punishing us as a sign of his anger. In contrast, the Bible tells us that God uses the hard times to direct and correct our paths in the way of Jesus. His discipline trains us and his punishment strengthens and purifies us to be more like him.
What are you focussing on? Who is the “director” setting the angle from which you view life? Focus on Jesus for a new look at life.
posted by Peter Wilson at 1:43 PM
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