Focus On Jesus

Psalm 19:1-2; Hebrew 12:1-2 “Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens” (Ps. 148:3-4, NASB). August 21, 2017 was a very peaceful day in the Myles household. The highlight of the day was my wife, daughter, and I sitting in the driveway watching the shadow of the moon coming between the sun and the earth until we had a total eclipse of the sun. The totality of the eclipse lasted for about two to two and a half minutes. There was nighttime darkness and we could see stars. After the eclipse had ended I said to my daughter that it had been a peaceful day. We had been so focused on the eclipse that we had not thought about all the problems in the world these days that are causing American citizens a lot of anxiety, fear, and worry. Later, Abra and I talked about how focusing on the eclipse had cause many people, including ourselves to focus on Jesus. In this article I want to share with you some of our thoughts about how the eclipse affected us and other people. Let me begin by describing my day. I got out of the bed at my usual time, 4:00 a.m. and prayed. I went to the gym to work out. I came back home, took a shower, and had breakfast. So far, it’s just another routine day for me. I continued my routines. I got my wife Marilyn up and we went for her walk. I have been thinking about the eclipse, and the local TV channel that we usually watch has reporters in various spots to report on the eclipse. I gather the three pair of eclipse glasses and I go outside and test each pair by looking through them directly at the sun. All seems well. About 11:30 a.m. we get lawn chairs and go out to the driveway to observe the sun until the eclipse has ended. Now, let me return to the conversation that Abra and I had. First, Abra mentioned that the eclipse had brought people together. There were eclipse parties at various locations and people of all ages, sizes and shapes, colors, ethnicities, political parties, and various religious persuasions, and from various countries all gather as one people to see the eclipse. For Abra and me it showed that when people focus on God there is togetherness and single-mindedness. The scriptures tell us that before Jesus sent out His apostles to preach the Gospel that they came together in one place, and all were there for the same purpose (Acts 2:1). How different this is compared to the news headlines for the past week. There has been violence between opposing groups that have different ideas about removing statures of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia. The president’s cabinet has been disrupted by the firing of chief strategist Bannon. It has been a peaceful day. The local TV station has not flooded our minds with the news of war and death. Instead, there was a report of one woman saying that during the eclipse she had felt closer to God. Another woman reported that she had felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and she had cried. Psalm 46 tells us that regardless to what is taking place around us we can have peace of mind. “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the earth” (vv. 1-2). The psalm ends with these words of hope and assurance “The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold” (v. 11). As Abra and I talk, we begin to talk about what the eclipse says to us about Jesus. Scriptures come to my mind. The first one is found in the book of Colossians. Paul describes Jesus with these words. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities―all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Col.1:15-16, NASB). Although scientists were able to predict precisely the times and places of the eclipse, they do not have the knowledge or the power to alter what God has put in place. Everything happens according to God’s plans. A second scripture supports and witness to the Colossian text. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:1-2, NASB). The writer tells us that before the incarnation of Jesus He was the Word that created everything. The word “Word” is translated from the Greek word “logos” that means “reason,” and “mind.” Thus, God through Jesus created the world according to the mind and purpose of God. Nothing was accidental or happenstance. God was intentional in His creation, and God remains intentional in everything that God does. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8, NASB). Thinking about what we saw as we looked at the wondrous sight of the eclipse, I remember Psalm 19. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the works of His hands” (v. 1, NASB). Psalm 8 tells us of the majesty of God and our importance to God. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? You have made him a little lower than God, And you crown him with glory and majesty! You made him to rule over the works of your hands; You have put all things under his feet” (vv. 3-6, NASB). When we focus on Jesus we reduce our anxieties and fears that come to us because of all the violence, killings, and other disturbing news that the news media and social network bombard our minds. We are unable to control the events that take place in the world. But we can have hope and people regardless of the circumstances around us. We are saved by the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. As we are confronted with the bad news each day the writer of Hebrews tells us how to deal with any and all things that would destroy us. He writes, “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2, NASB). If you want to have peace in your life Focus on Jesus.