What do you gaze at for extended periods of time? Sports? Cars? Work? A hobby? A particular home? Economic status? Your children? Your spouse? Others? God's Word? A particular character trait of God?
Elizabeth George, in her book Loving God with All Your Mind, talks about the focus of a woman's life. In her study guide, she lists characters of the Bible with Scripture passages and the following instructions: "What do you find most striking about the following individuals who pressed toward the finish in their journey of faith?" (p 223).
Here are some of my thoughts from that exercise:
Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-16, 39)
- He didn't know physically where he was going, but he took one step at a time. He never wondered where he was headed spiritually. His spiritual goal defined his life's physical direction. We see this today because we have history books to read.
- He never saw the fulfillment of several of God's specific promises to him.
- YET he finished his course in such a way that God was not ashamed to called his God.
- Summary: More often than not, I don't know where God is leading 2 steps down the path of my life; but I do know what the next right physical step is for today because it is the next step that brings me closer to the fulfillment of my life's goal. Not all of God's promises to me in Scripture are meant to be fulfilled in my life time or in a way that seems most logically (in a human sense) to bring Him glory. Will I still "trust Him though He slay me" as Job did? Will I finish my course (whether I have one day or one week or one year or one decade left of my life's journey) in a such a way that God is not ashamed to be called Jenn's God? Is my life's goal so ingrained in my own mind and heart that even when I only have enough light for today's physical step, I step out in determination, confidence, and energy because I know spiritually where I am going-"toward the goal of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?
Moses (Numbers 27:12-23, Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
- He ended up with a job he did not personally train for and one he definitely did not want.
- Personal failure kept him from seeing the dreams of his own heart fulfilled.
- YET because he accepted the job that he didn't feel equipped for, he experienced God's enabling guidance and power in such a way he was a great encouragement to the next leader.
- Summary: Much of my life is not what I would have chosen for myself if God had given me options. I don't feel qualified for much of what is on my plate each day. Do I rejoice in the fact that God's guidance and power have an even great opportunity to shine through my inadequacies so the watching world sees His beauty and is drawn to Him? Do I willing submit to those tasks and jobs I don't want knowing God is working out a far greater weight of glory-the salvation of souls and the further deepening of my own faith and character so He is glorified?
Samuel (I Samuel 8:1-5, 12:1, 23)
- His sons' disobedience was public and hurt his own ministry.
- His sons' disobedience seemingly lead to the nation's decision to disobey God.
- YET the disobedience of others and their sin against him only strengthened Samuel's resolve to focus on his life's goal.
- Summary: Do I eagerly refuse to reflect on wrongs committed against me or the sins of those around me in order to stay focused on my life's goal?
The words "life's goal" has continually appeared in the paragraph's above. One cannot be focused without such a goal. In the past 18 months I have spent time thinking about what I want written on my grave stone one day (this was a challenge from another devotional book I was reading).
My life's goal is that my gaze would be always on the cross, that I would live for nothing more and die for nothing less. In defining this goal I know how a pair of binoculars to gaze through as I look at every day decisions, attitudes, and struggles. What will push me closer to the cross and cause others to love the Beloved One who gave His life for me?
My objective under that goal for this upcoming school year is one word: FOCUS. Those attending the funerals of Abraham, Moses, and Samuel knew the focus of these men's lives was their beloved God. This school year I am asking myself the following: "Jenn, in this particular physical step you are taking on the job, in your housework, with your finances, and in your friendships are you personally focused and are you focusing others on the cross of Christ?
Life's verse: Acts 20:24
Year's verse: Philippians 3:12-21