Challenge: Focus

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  Col 3:1-2 NASB

I don’t really know what to say other than that I don’t do this.  I get mired in the things of this earth.  I’m caught up in them.  Bound by them.  I think that if the issues right in front of me can be dealt with, then I’ll be able to focus more on things above.  But every time one earthly issue is dealt with, another takes its place.  It’s a never-ending cycle.

As I contemplate and pray about how to change my focus, the first thing that comes to mind is rather humorous, actually.  It is the MadTV skit with Bob Newhart called Stop It!  (And, yes, if you’ve never seen the clip, you do want to click the link and watch it.  If you have seen it, you know what’s waiting for you, and you know you want to watch it again just for a good laugh!)

That’s really how I feel about changing my focus from the earthly things that bind me to the heavenly things that God created me for.  I just have to stop focusing on the earthly things and choose to focus on the heavenly.  Period.  That may seem overly simplistic – and, when it comes down to the day by day, minute by minute application, I do realize there is more to it.  But, I will never get anywhere by analyzing the how of getting there.  I will only get there by taking action.

So, my prayer is that God will reveal to me each time I am focusing on earthly things instead of things above and my challenge is to take action to change that.