What To Focus On

Hebrews 12:2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

"The eyes are the windows of the soul" is a poetic expression used in our culture today to describe how our eyes take in more than just the visual world. But these days we have a more serious problem with what our eyes are absorbing. Studies have shown that the average person spends 11 hours a day on digital screens and cell phone users touch their phones an average of 2,500 times a day. One third of millennials spend 2 hours a day on their phones while they are at work. Looking at phones causes over a million car crashes each year and internet addiction is now a documented condition needing treatment.

How many times have you been in a restaurant where everyone around you is on their phone instead of talking to one another? The sources of distraction are more powerful now than ever because social media apps are designed to keep you hooked on scrolling. But we are called by the Lord to set aside what will hinder us and cause us to be sucked into the world and its attractions.

I'm not talking about being tempted to watch more so that you will be mindlessly entertained. The greatest danger is that what is coming through your eyes will influence your mind, your will, and your emotions. You are setting yourself up to be brainwashed by a corrupt culture that hates the things of God and loves to tempt you to do whatever feels good. How do we then push aside what will hinder us and lure us into becoming like the world? We guard our eyes from all that will feed our flesh and we fix our eyes on Jesus. You must say no to one and yes to the other and do it every day.

Studying God's Word resets your standard of what is truth and trains you to think as He does, to see others through His eyes, to see yourself with the love He has for you. While you drive, put your phone away, turn off your radio and pray for others. When you sit to eat, keep your phone out of sight and talk to one another. When you get up each day, set aside 15 minutes to pray and read your Bible. Get outside in the evening and walk together and pray. What I am challenging you to do is to commit to a lifestyle that will apply this simple truth of fixing your eyes, your mind, and your emotions on Jesus. Determine today that you will push away distractions that are trying to get your attention and instead fill your thoughts with the things God wants for you.