Usually on Mondays I meet with a group to pray for the missionaries we are connected to. I am the host on Zoom, but this past Monday my electricity came off and on quickly in the middle of the meeting, therefore the Internet was disrupted while someone was praying. I tried to buy data for my phone to get back on as it takes a little while for the internet to reboot, but I didn’t get a message saying the data plan went through, so I waited for the Internet to work again and did some gymnastics with my devices to get myself back in as host. Thankfully, the call didn’t stop, so I was able to get back in and the same person who was praying when I was cut off the call was the same person praying when I got back in. When he finished praying, I asked if he had realized that I wasn’t there and that I was having some problems. He said no. His eyes were closed, and he was focused on praying to the Father. Immediately, I knew that God was teaching us a spiritual lesson to keep our thoughts fixed on Him, no matter what is going on. Our focus should be on Him rather than our challenges which can distract us from being in His presence. We should shut out any potential distractions that would hinder our communication and relationship with God, including anything in our everyday lives that would encumber our service as a soldier in the Lord’s army.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4
This reminds me of a testimony from one of my friends who was on a recent mission’s trip to Europe and Asia for nearly two months. He told me that they had very little money and just focused on their need for the day and they did not worry about the next day. They did not get distracted by worry and were able to evangelize to many. While each day, God provided all they needed and somedays God blessed them more than they could ever imagine. He understood that they were living out a lesson from Luke 12.
And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a day to his life’s span? Therefore if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about the other things? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you. Luke 12:22-23
Often we are so busy storing up for later that we forget to stop and give God thanks and praise for today. Much of our work may be in our own strength no matter how godly it seems, and we put our trust in our abilities instead of God because we live in fear of what may happen tomorrow. Consequently, we are distracted and distressed as we focus on the worries of the world, resulting in us having no peace.
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4
Where we put our trust is often where we put our focus. Many trust in their fame, fortune, power and good reputation. But all these can vanish in a moment. Stock markets crash, health declines, accidents happen, elections are lost and misunderstandings on social media ruins reputations. So it is never wise to put our trust in all these that are fleeting. Instead, we must have a firm foundation on Christ our Rock as He never changes. I believe these sentiments are summed up quite well in lyrics of the song, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, written by Edward Mote in 1834.
“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.”
Where is your focus? Will you trust in Christ, the solid Rock, and keep Him in focus?
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