Focus

Matthew 14: 31 "Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. 'You have so little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?'"

The disciples are in the middle of the Sea of Galilea and a storm comes up.  Jesus walks on the water out to them and rescues them.  Peter asks if he can walk out to Jesus but as soon as he takes his eyes off Jesus he begins to sink.

The simple lesson in this is so often forgotten and overlooked by me.  When I keep my eyes on Jesus I can walk on the water and not be afraid.  When I take my eyes off of him, I'll sink.  This isn't to say that all goes well and I'll never have problems when I keep my focus on Jesus, but rather, I can handle anything life throws at me when my eyes are on him.  What stormy seas are in my life right now?  What dangers, fears and anxieties am I facing today?  I need to redirect my attention towards Jesus and off the water.

Dear Jesus, help me to focus solely on you today.  Amen.

A Dad's Plea

Psalm 81:13 "Oh that my people would listen to me!  Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths."

In Psalm 81, God is wishing his people would just follow him and obey him.  For their sake, he wants his people, the Israelites to finally leave their pagan gods and ways, and follow their father.

There are so many times as a dad, I desperately want my children to listen to me and follow me.  Whether I'm teaching them to swim, talking to them about "stranger danger" or the importance of saving your money, I want them to listen to their dear old dad.  As their dad, I know better.  I know what's best for them.  I know some stuff that can keep them from harm or failure in the future.  I know that angst as a dad.  And I believe that's the emotion represented here in Psalm 81.  I can see the look on God's face as he says, "Just this once, please listen to me.  I'm begging you, just listen and obey."  Can I do that today?  Am I willing to listen and obey?

Dear Lord, help me listen and obey all day long today.  Amen.