Where do we keep our focus?

We are overwhelmed with news. Some of it is important to follow and understand. After all, we do live in this world, and people are affected by what is happening, so we should care about some news. Much news, it seems to me, is trivial and unnecessary. Gossip columns fall into this category for me, but also, it seems, many political debates. I do not deny that the outcome of these debates can be quite consequential. However, as Christians, the question is what do we (I) concern ourselves (myself) with and how should we allocate our time?

How did Jesus live? He was not pre-occupied, it seems much at all, with the political debates of his time. One could argue that the context of the political structure during those times was no less important than ours today. Rather, Jesus concerned himself with leading a pure life, fully dependent upon God His Father; and also on serving (and saving) the lost and helpless. He also invested significant time in building up and training his disciples (core leaders / followers) so that they, in turn, could follow-in his footsteps.

So, I must ask myself some difficult questions…

For my own benefit, am I leading a life that is totally dependent upon God? I must admit that in past months I haven’t been. I have been relying too much on my own capabilities, and this has resulted in stress and fatigue. Even the successes that I have “achieved”, I am left wondering: is it sustainable? Now, I must surrender, again, to Jesus. My hope and desire is to daily surrender to my Lord Jesus Christ; to pray “with my eyes open”; and to work at my best as if I am working for the Lord.

For the benefit of others in my life, is my life portraying a clear and pure witness to others regarding the Grace and Love of Christ? How can I expect that my friends will come to know and love Christ if they do not see any “light” coming from my life?

So, these are questions that concern my own spiritual health and wellbeing; my Christian witness; and now, the last question.

What am I doing to seek and save and serve the lost, helpless, and hurting? Not enough, to be honest. I have taken some steps recently to get better at this, but I / we can always do more. This must be an outpouring from our relationship with Christ (see point #1). Recently, I listened to a sermon from my home church in Louisville regarding “praying with our eyes open”.  I must say that I have found this to be helpful keeping me aware of the needs of the people around me.

I am a work in progress.