March 05, 2013
In Focus
TODAY’S STORY
I am near sighted. I’ve been wearing glasses for longer than I can remember. They’re a part of me and a necessity for me to be able to see. I worry that my eyes will get worse the older that I get.
My mom is legally blind. She had to give up a lot of priviledges a long time ago. She can’t drive, read or sew. She’s not able to do crossword or search and find puzzles no matter how large of print they may be. There’s a lot of things that she can no longer enjoy because of her disability.
When she walks, she holds onto arms for assistance. Someone has to tell her to step up onto curbs, watch out for uneven pavement or holes in grass, tree stumps and other things that may hinder her and cause her to trip and fall. We describe steps as little or big so she can adjust her effort in getting up or down.
Writing is difficult. She can’t see lines or find i’s to dot or t’s to cross. She has to trust others to lead her, accept her limitations and rely on other people’s sight.
Photo courtesy yahoo.com
GOD’S STORY
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
Psalm 119:147-149 (NIV)
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life,(E) LORD, according to your laws.
What does today’s God story teach us about being in focus?
Our eyes (or sight) don’t have anything to do with believing and focusing on what we ‘see’ spiritually. It’s through faith and by trusting completely and fully in and on Christ that we can take comfort in the promises of what God will give us and what He will do for us. When we focus on the problems, we are essentially saying that we don’t believe God is able to work the circumstance out according to His will and for our good.
MY STORY
How can we connect God’s story to our lives?
As I was reading yesterday, which I believe is one of the best gifts with which we can use our eyes, I ran across a comment where one of main characters stated that she was focusing on the problems and not the promises of God (Neta Jackson in the Yada Yada APrayer Group Gets Caught). That hit me so much that I had to reread it and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.
We each experience problems and although they will vary according to the trials we may have to deal with here during our lifetime, they still matter to us. And more importantly, these problems matter to our Heavenly Father.
Sometimes it’s much easier to focus on the issue that concerns us than the promises that God gives us.
God, please forgive me for taking my focus off of You and Your blessings & promises. I’m sorry for my selfishness, my unbelief and not acknowledging that You are still in control. Help me to keep my eyes, no matter how weak or near sighted I may be on You and the good You have for me. Thank You for caring about me!
THEIR STORY
How can we connect today’s story, God’s story and our story to others?
Even if you don’t wear corrective lenses, you can let those in your life see how much you need to correct your focus on God and less on problems.
When someone you know is going through a difficult time, listen for opportunities to share God’s promises with them. Remind them that aligning our focus up with His will is essential to have perfect vision.
Praise God that His promises never fail. Keep abiding in His Word. And focus!