Keeping the Proper Focus

Several Christmases ago, my family enjoyed a family reunion at a camping lodge in Leavenworth, WA. During our time there, Karen and I took some skiing lessons at a ski school at Stephens Pass. (Don’t you love me talking about snow in the middle of summer!)  At one point the instructor asked me to stand downhill from them by around 25 yards. He then told Karen to go around me as a practice in making a left hand turn.  He made it a point of emphasis to say, “Focus on the open patch of snow just downhill from your husband and aim for it.  No matter what you do, do not look at your husband because what you focus on is what you’re going to head for.”  True to his word, Karen locked her eyes on me (boy, what a look of fear!) and she flat ran me over!

Recently I read an article that reinforces this principle. Missionary pilot Bernie May wrote about his experiences on the mission field,  He shared this point, "One of the most difficult lessons to teach new pilots about landing on short, hazardous airstrips is to keep their eyes on the good part of the strip rather than on the hazard. The natural tendency is to concentrate on the obstacle, the danger, the thing he is trying to avoid. But experience teaches us that a pilot who keeps his eye on the hazard will sooner or later hit it dead center."

The spiritual principle in all of this is that instead of concentrating on the sins we want to avoid, we are told to focus on the positive actions Christ desires for us. Paul told the Christians at Colosse: "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). We are to discard old ways of thinking and acting (vv.5-9) and "put on" new ways of living (vv.10-17).

Bernie May sums it up by saying that experienced pilots focus their attention solidly on the track they want the plane to follow, keeping the hazards in their peripheral vision only.

All too often, we try our best with all our ability (there may be part of the problem) to avoid sins in our life that frequently trip us, but yet we seem to be drawn right back to them.  A better point of focus is to simply concentrate on Christ and His will for our lives and to give up being so self reliant on our puny spiritual strength. When we keep Christ and His interests as the focus, the lure of the old life will remain in the corner of our eye, but our aim will most often land us squarely in the center of God's will.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  War Room; Here are some resources you can use to promote and enhance your experience with this upcoming movie -  http://buff.ly/1HRKFcP 

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  6 Simple Things a First Time Church Guest Likes by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/2015/06/six-simple-things-a-first-time-church-guest-likes/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Growing Groups Conferences (in Georgia) throughout August - http://gabaptistgroups.org/2015-growing-groups/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Groups Matter Event at Ridgecrest, NC, August 27-29, 2015, discussing issues like disciple making, DNA of healthy groups, responding to the homosexual question, missional groups, etc. - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Groups-Matter-Event?type=events

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Join the ‘Hebrews Initiative’ this fall! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/special-emphasis/hebrews-initiative?emid=rpoinde-hebrewsinitiative-67151-20150414

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR BIBLE STUDY: January Bible Study 2016, Second Corinthians; The Church Ministry’s Handbook - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/January-Bible-Study

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Tech Help in Student Ministry by Chris Swain - http://www.lifeway.com/studentministry/2015/05/26/student-ministry-tech/

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Tips on Retaining Your Student Leadership - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Seamless by Angie Smith, understanding the Bible as one complete story for teenage girls - http://www.lifeway.com/Seamless/Youth/c/N-1z0zm8zZ1z141ym

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8, helping students understand the heart of evangelism - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Three Essentials for the Church and Home by Jeffrey Reed - http://www.lifeway.com/Kids/LifeWay-Christian-Resources/c/N-1z10cb8Z1z141jl?intcmp=LifeWayKid-MTX-Banner-3Essentials-20150128

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Before You Serve: Shake the Dust Off Your Feet by Jana Magruder - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/2015/07/10/before-you-serve-shake-the-dust-off-your-feet/

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Evangelism and Discipleship materials - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/I%27m-a-Christian-Now

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  I Will: Nine Traits of an Outwardly Focused Christian by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/i-will-P005742345

(There is a four session Bible study that is available to download for the "I Will" book as well as sermon helps and video clips to enhance a church's experience in reading this book)

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  The Friends of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-friends-of-jesus-bible-study-leader-kit-p005727070

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Fervent, A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer (a companion piece for the War Room movie) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fervent-P005765905

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Living Proof Live, Beth Moore simulcast, September 12, 2015 - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Women’s Forum, November 12-14, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Women%27s-Ministry-Leadership-Forum?type=events

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Stepping Up: A Call for Courageous Manhood - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/stepping-up-a-call-to-courageous-manhood-leader-kit-P005764897

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Killing Lions: A Guide Through the Trials Young Men Face by John and Sam Eldridge - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/killing-lions-P005680389