IT is a sad fact that many start well on the journey of the Christian faith, but not so many finish well. We must remember that in a generation where most "live for the moment," Christians are called in time to prepare for all eternity. The journey is real and there are many hurdles and distractions along the way. Back in 1963 I heard Leonard Ravenhill state, "The Christian highway is littered with 'has-beens'." A "has-been" is one who has given up, been discouraged, distracted, disappointed, offended to the point of stepping away from their original focus. That is not God's will for us.

• So what must we do?

• How can we help each other to run "straight and true"?

We must encourage one another to "keep focused"! Yes, to keep reminding ourselves - and others - that this Christian journey is not a "100 metre dash," but a lifelong commitment to Jesus that has amazing eternal results. That demands vision, conviction, commitment and a need to keep focused. The word "focus" means "a point upon which attention, activity, etc. is directed or concentrated . . . to bring or come to a focus or into focus; to fix attention on; concentrate"(Collins Dict.). Another definition is, "The adjustment of the eye or a lens necessary to produce a clear image. A state of clear definition. The centre of interest or activity" (Oxford Dict.).

For a Christian to remain focused on God's purpose we must "keep the main thing the main thing." That is JESUS! He is our point of focus because He is our reason for being a Christian in the first place. Our life was given to Him personally, with a commitment to follow Him daily. When "other things and people" come between us and Jesus our vision becomes marred. We start to lose focus. It is then that the disappointments and discouragements "eat away" at us and we start to withdraw.

If we are going to fulfil our Christian destiny, then we must remain focused on Jesus! We must take steps to remove those obstacles which marr our vision, cloud our minds and undermine our faith. Our vision of Jesus must remain clear! Another saying I remember from years back said, "If Jesus Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all." Like many Scriptures, this saying is easier to quote than to live out.

To clarify our focus means making a decision (only you can make it for you and only I can make it for me). That decision is to demonstrate our love and commitment to Jesus by removing those things that have "fogged our spiritual glasses" and doing what is necessary to have a clear focus upon the purpose for why Jesus laid ahold upon our life. Remember, we're here for His pleasure, not ours. He called us to follow Him, not someone or something else.

• How clear is your focus right now?   It is as clear as Jesus is real to you.

Be encouraged, like the woman with the issue of blood, to press through the crowd and the hindrances to "touch the hem of His garment."  To do that means getting real close to Jesus (Matthew 9:20-22). And that is where you are most fulfilled, content and secure in day to day life. God bless you! - Rodney W. Francis.

Bible  Readings:  Proverbs 29:18; Matthew 17:1-8; Hebrews 2.

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