Morning Devotional
November  12, 2005
"Focus" (Part 3)      
    by Don Emmitte

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. I hope all of you who are mature Christians will agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. (Philippians 3:12-15 NLT).

 

Let’s pick up where we ended yesterday. Paul had a central focal point for his life. Paul focused his life on God's power revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Focusing our lives on the power of God is more than merely hoping in our future resurrection from the dead. It is a hope revealing God's power for the present. It has to do with becoming like him in his death while living for him in the present.

 

1.      Paul chose to forget what was behind. We spend so much time brooding over what might have been. It doesn't really matter about the accomplishments or failures of the past, or the circumstances of the present.

 

2.      Paul saw beyond the momentary. Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it." We can become so engrossed in what we have accomplished in the present that we lose sight of the future. Many are only living for the present. They may think the present is all-important. The present prevents them from seeing their future. The present IS where we live, but a focus on the future empowers us to move forward instead of being stuck in the morass of the moment.

 

3.      Paul focused on the future. Paul forgets what is behind, looks beyond the moment and "straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." I really wish that I could somehow convince more people that the only way to overcome the fear of the future that grips so many is through simply pressing on.

 

Have you thought about focusing your life? Have you thought about focusing your life on something that will help you reach your greatest potential? Begin by keeping your eyes fixed on Christ. This is done through Bible Study and involvement with other godly people. Continue to move forward in this focus by realizing that grace has forever changed you as a believer. Your past is no longer held to your account. Let go of all the guilt and shame over past failures. And last look to the future with the confidence that nothing can stop you. The power of Christ at work in you is more than enough!