Restoring Our Focus on Christ

I’ll be perfectly honest with you, as I shared a devotion on diversions the other day, I’m currently finding myself having trouble focusing on Christ. I’m feeling the pressure all around and it’s pulling in so many directions. As I look back at what has transpired this past week, the problem becomes clear. I’ve struggled with a bad headache for several days and my time with God has decreased some. I always make time for Him no matter what, but due to the pain, it was less than normal. What I find after several days of not pressing in and spending hours in His presence, is that returning to that place can be difficult and definitely requires desire, desperation and discipline.

My mind begins to wander as I pray and study. I think about all the things that I need to get done, since much was left unattended. In just a few days, the ease I once felt entering the Secret Place, now requires a forceful entry…a passionate and desperate pursuit of the Presence of Jesus. You see…I can’t do life outside of the closest proximity to Him. It makes me anxious and stressed. I don’t like who I am without Him, so I can’t do another day unless I run into His arms!

This makes me wonder about the place that most Christians have become very accustomed to. Just outside the window looking in to where He’s calling them to be. He desires intimate time with each of His children, yet His presence is outside of their comfort zone because they’ve never become desperate enough to fight through the distractions to the place where they could hear and see Him clearly. This connection doesn’t transpire automatically because we’ve prayed a prayer. It’s like any other relationship. It requires time, attention and prioritization.

I’d love to say that my relationship with Christ comes naturally for me, but the fact is, it was formed from His Spirit drawing me and a conscious decision to passionately pursue Him! Once you’ve made the effort, you’ll feel the difference and a few days of less passion will cause heartache filled with a desire for more of Him…or…if ignored…you’ll eventually get so far away that coming closer is no longer a consideration. It’s gradual and hardly noticed if not kept in check.

I don’t know where each of you are in your growth process, but I do know that none of us will ever arrive to “enough” of Jesus! As I’ve said before, never get comfortable or content with your current spiritual condition. There’s always more of Him to experience and discover!

Time in prayer, worship and study may seem very unnatural and uncomfortable at first, but that’s ok…just keep showing up, prioritizing time for Him out of your love and desire to know Him better and one day…you’ll no longer feel like you’re praying into the air in an empty room. You’ll come to realize, He’s right there with you and the time that once seemed like such a sacrifice will turn into the greatest blessing of your life! You’ll look at the clock and wonder where time went and you’ll become hungrier for more of His presence! Don’t give up! Keep seeking and remain focused on Christ!

Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG) So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Psalm 91:14-15 (VOICE) “Because he clings to Me in love, I will rescue him from harm; I will set him above danger. Because he has known Me by name, He will call on Me, and I will answer. I’ll be with him through hard times; I’ll rescue him and grant him honor.

Hebrews 12:2 (VOICE) Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor.

Romans 8:5 (NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.