Undivided Attention – September 12, 2019

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1,2

Undivided Attention

A growing amount of research shows that humans are not nearly as good at multitasking as we think we are. By attempting to work on more than one thing at a time, we often perform much more poorly than if we had concentrated on a single task. This might negatively affect our productivity at work, but it can have far more disastrous consequences too—for example, when we try to text and drive at the same time.

Spiritually speaking, you and I were heading for worse than a car wreck. We were allowing ourselves to be pulled in every wrong direction: slaves of sinful behavior, afraid of death, and under the influence of the devil. Fortunately for us, our Savior Jesus gave us his undivided attention when he came to rescue us. He rejected the people’s offer to crown him as an earthly king. He didn’t listen to Satan’s temptations to take a shortcut and avoid the shame of the cross. Instead, he endured the pain and offered up his life. And with that self-sacrifice, the Son of God paid for the sins of all mankind. His one goal was accomplished: you have been reconciled to God and forgiveness of sins is now yours through faith in Christ Jesus.

Why would you want to be any less focused on your own eternal welfare than Jesus was? The doors of heaven now stand wide open for you through the death of Jesus. Why would you jeopardize your salvation by giving it anything less than your full, undivided attention?

Get rid of the self-destructive patterns that distract you from your relationship with Jesus. Learn to find the same joy in service that Jesus had. Turn your thoughts toward him in prayer and Scripture reading. Jesus started you on this path toward heaven, and he will keep you on that path until you reach your eternal reward.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on you, just as you have watched over me. Amen.