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A Focused Lens
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” – Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 2, verse 2.
RECENTLY, WE BOUGHT a digital camera to help us capture those wonderful little moments in life that we all experience and want to remember (children, grandchildren, vacations, Christmas and times of sharing with loved ones). A camera is a great tool that helps us hang on to those memories. It was a great buy, and it was really more fun than I anticipated just looking at all the options and various models. I was especially fascinated by looking at the digital pictures that come out on my end for viewing. The quality and clarity is just fascinating. Not knowing much about how all this comes together, I become even more amazed. What kind of lens does this thing have and is it really still called a “lens” or is it something else that operates as a lens? I would think that a lens, or its new digital substitute, would be a key thing that determines whether or not the shot turns out. Sure, there are other ingredients, like light, shutter speed, etc., but what you see, and how focused it is, is crucial. You need to have the right lens (or new digital substitute) to do the job. St. Paul thought like this, long before old-fashioned, much less digital, cameras were in use. He knew that we must have the right focus for our whole life in order for it to operate correctly, to do what is best and just be fully human. He pointed to following Jesus, doing what He did, living like He lived, and living with the same attitude that Jesus had. That was the “lens‟ that Paul said was the best. I’ve seen this to be true in my life too. Have you ever slowed down and taken a moment to notice that when our focus on Jesus is first and foremost, then our lives, no matter how tough the circumstances may be, are more joyful and meaningful? Yeah, I know, how do we find joy at the death of a loved one, in a broken relationship, or the loss of a job? I think the thing to remember is that we don’t find the joy but that Jesus brings the joy to us. The lens of the heart must focus in on Christ our Lord. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15:5. I invite you to discover more of this joy, this fruit that Jesus brings, by just focusing the lens a little. The focus button is God’s Word, his revealing himself to you. Be strong in God’s Word, my friends. Take a moment each day to rediscover your friend, Jesus. Talk with him, see him in the Psalms, and renew the experience of praying them as David did. Let great Old and New Testament books tell you more of God’s wonderful gift to you. God has placed the joy there for us to see. All we have to do is focus the lens a little and He always will invite and encourage you to do just that. Pastor Tom |
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