Word of the Week: Focus

We made it! On Sunday we finished our fall sermon series on 1 Peter, which we’ve walked through together for fourteen weeks. Over the course of those many weeks, I’ve wanted to return again and again to one central question: How do we live faithfully as strangers in a foreign land? After all, 1 Peter is written to elect exiles (1 Peter 1:1). It’s written to believers who feel the pressure of living in a world that’s not their home. It’s written for believers like us.

Peter concludes with a single note: Jesus. He’s played this note through the entire song and it’s also where he fades out. How do we live as strangers in a foreign land? Not by focusing on our circumstances, but by fixing our eyes on the glory that is to come. We anchor ourselves to the resurrection glory of Jesus.

It’s not hard to lose this focus. On any given week, we’re juggling a thousand things. We are shuttling kids to practice. We’re running errands. We’re answering emails. We’re busy and easily distracted by whatever’s in front of us. Friends, distraction doesn’t breed strong faith. Focus does. The only way we can follow Jesus is by keeping our focus on him.

What distracts you? Are there ways you can limit these distractions or cut them out of your life all together? Are there ways you can carry Jesus with you into these places so you don’t lose your focus? Jesus is worth it. To him is the dominion forever and ever. Why should we settle for lesser things?