Pastor’s Corner: “Laser Focus”
“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” – Matthew 16:21
Over the last few decades, laser has become a “buzzword” in the tech world. The laser, a sharply focused beam of light, has incredible functionality that ranges from cutting metals, use in surgery treatments and warfare, etc. The secret of laser technology is simple: Focus. A light bulb differs from a laser only by focus and intensity.
Think of a controlling a beam of light. When the opening is wide it will illuminate a room. Make the opening much smaller and now that light is intensified on a specific spot. As terrible as it sounds, think of how you used to take a magnifying glass and burned ants as a kid (I’m not the only guy reading this who did it). The light from the sun didn’t harm them until you used the magnifying glass as a laser and burned off their antennas.
The same is true with our walk with Jesus. The more we concentrate on Jesus and what is important to Him, the more amplified the results will be. Remember, we are the light of the world – the more we focus, the more of a blessing we can be. Focus like a laser, not a flashlight.
Did you know that it is impossible for the human brain to multi-task? I know there are people thinking “No! I am a ‘multi-tasker!’” In reality, you’ve just become proficient at the art of shifting your thinking from one thing to the next rapidly.
Jesus understood from the very beginning the human brain cannot multi-task. In fact, if you think back, He said, “No one can serve both God and money. You’ll love the one and hate the other. You’ll be devoted to the one and you’ll despise the other.” Jesus taught over and over again the beauty of a simple, focused life on loving God and following Him. Not only did He teach that, He lived that. Think about it. Jesus was always locked onto the heart of His Father. But we get so distracted so easy.
Jesus said, if you’ll set your mind on Me, things are just going to work themselves out – Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The Bible is full of significant promises that tells us to what is counter intuitive and lock on to Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-6, tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.”
From the beginning to the end, the story of Scripture is a story about the Savior; our need for a Savior, the coming of the Savior, and the coming quick return of our Savior. Scripture says testify about the Savior! He is who the world needs! The world does not need just more knowledge or secret knowledge. It doesn’t need to uncover all the plots of man or Satan. The world needs the experiential life-transforming knowledge of Jesus the Messiah and Savior. THIS IS OUR LASER FOCUS!
Jesus had a laser focus for His Father’s business and His Father’s heart. And like the Apostle Paul, we are called to do the same. Philippians 3:10 (NLT) – I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death. We need laser beam focus on Jesus. And we need to share the true story about Him in love. We need to be evangelistic about the good news of Jesus Christ!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton