A Clear Focus

When he was in third grade, our son's vision began to deteriorate.  By the time he entered fourth grade, he was wearing glasses.  Over the years we have referred to him as our "blind child" because his vision is so bad.  Today that will change.  A few weeks ago, he had a consultation with an eye surgeon. And this afternoon, Brian is having LASIK surgery.  Finally, after all these years, he will be able to see clearly.  He will have clear focus.

What about you?  How's your focus?  I'm not just referring to whether or not you wear glasses.  Or whether or not you have cataracts clouding your vision.  I'm thinking more in spiritual terms.  Do you perhaps have "spiritual cataracts"?  Is there anything clouding your spiritual vision?

Perhaps you're focusing on the wrong thing.  You may have you vision laser-focused onto your circumstances.  Or on a relationship.  It may even be a good relationship.  Or perhaps it's one that has some problems.  In either event, that's where your focus is.

There's a trend in Christian circles these days to focus on the gifts God gives, on the grace-gifts He brings into our lives.  I think it's certainly a good thing to be aware of all the blessings God brings into our lives.  And I agree that it's an act of worship to notice and give thanks for all these blessings.  I do not, however, agree with the idea that God is good because He brings these things into our lives.  That implies that He is not good if He doesn't bring these good gifts.  Or that He is not good when we are going through hard times.  That is a direct contradiction of Scripture. ("Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  James 1:2-4 NASB) 

God is not good because He brings good things into our lives; He brings good things into our lives because He is good!  Furthermore, God is good all the time.  In the good times.  In the not-so-good times.  When we are blessed with wonderful gifts.  When we are not.  God is good, because of WHO HE IS, not because of what He does or doesn't do, or because of what He does or doesn't give.

But back to the issue of focus, where is your focus today?  Certainly we should be aware of, make note of, give thanks for, all the gifts God brings our way.  And if you were to keep a list, you would likely be astonished at just how many ways God blesses you in a day's time. 

My issue, my concern, is that too often we are putting the focus on the gift, rather than on God Himself.  My concern is that too often we are focused on the blessing, when our focus should be on the Blesser.

What's clouding your vision today?  Or do you have a clear focus?  Is there anything "between your soul and the Savior"?

Something to think about.

"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."  (Hebrews 12:2 NASB, emphasis mine)


Listen to the hymn "Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o62NruWQyBk