I love technology.
In fact, I would confess that I may get a little too excited about new tech, updated phones, and the latest digital craze that captures the culture’s attention.
The downside of this love of tech is that it can often serve as an ever-increasing list of distractions that slowly dissolve my time and attention. In short, my focus becomes split between the good and the great or the enjoyable and the profitable.
This reminds me of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians [10:23]:
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
The issue is not whether those things are available, but that they have a tendency to keep us from the thing that is helpful to our souls.
Along those same lines, Hebrews 12:1 declares that we should “lay aside every weight” so that we can “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The weights spoken of in this passage are not sinful, because sin is mentioned separately in that sentence. Instead, these are other areas of life that cling to us, depriving us of the strength to move forward effectively.
“What does this have to do with focus” you ask. Simply this.
What we focus on with intentional pursuit is what will be our true motivation over the long haul. If we are focused on money, we will find motivation in making decisions that increase out wealth. If we are focused on our family, we will be motivated to build our lives around seeking the best for our household. If we are focused on church or ministry, we will be motivated to pursue means of growing numbers or influence.
All of these things are not bad, in themselves, but when they are the primary focus of our life we will lose heart when that financial deal falls through, our family fractures or the church hurts us.
When our focus is primarily on Jesus Christ, we are motivated by the unchanging, perfect, holy Son of God who has defeated death and can never be taken from us. He is the only one who can provide both the wisdom for life and the power to endure in it.
When our focus is primarily on Jesus Christ, we are motivated by the unchanging, perfect, holy Son of God who has defeated death and can never be taken from us.
Jesus Himself had the same focus
In that same Hebrews passage the author writes that we are to focus on Jesus, just as he was focused:
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2
The Lamb of God was focused on the joy that was set before Him and that joy was found in obedience to the Father (John [4:34]). Likewise, John 15 paints of picture of this same path we are to walk, focusing on Christ so that we may partake of the joy of our King (John 15:7-11). While the Christian does not have to worry about condemnation, we do have to be aware of our focus.
This is why our focus matters, because what we focus on will either leave us with overflowing joy and strength or leave us longing for something more. The joy of Christ and the true fullness of life is found in setting our heart, soul, and strength on Jesus. To turn our eyes from Him is to surrender to the vast supply of worthless things that may provide some enjoyment, but ultimately end in emptiness.
This is also why Focused on Christ exists, to help followers of Jesus to maintain that focus and experience the indescribable joy that comes from abiding in the presence of our glorious Lord and Savior.