What have you been focusing on recently? Does the warm weather have your eyes turned towards a green yard? Does the thought of spring make you think of baseball? Does your conversation ever veer towards masks and Covid-19? Today I want you to stop and take account of where you are focusing your time and energy. You may already know that answer for yourself or you may be nervous at the thought of this exercise. One thing is for certain, when Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink into the depths of the sea. Let us learn from Peter.
In the book of Matthew, we read about Jesus walking on water. After feeding five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him on a boat. He stayed behind to dismiss the crowd and spend some time in prayer. Shortly before dawn the next morning, among the wind and the waves, Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples. They were afraid. Then we read in Matthew 14:27-30:
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Peter had one simple task. All he had to do was keep his eyes on Jesus. But almost immediately Peter lost his focus and took notice of his surroundings. He began to sink towards the bottom of the sea.
Where is your focus today? Your world is filled with many good things that are fighting for your attention. You may have a spouse that desires your love and affection. You may have children who need your time and guidance. You may have a job that requires many hours of your week. You may have a TV in your home that provides you with entertainment. You may have a phone or computer that is constantly notifying you about a post or message. You may have a tax refund or stimulus check on the way that is reminding you of your latest wants. The items listed above can be good or be used for good. But if you put all your time and energy into just one of these things, you will be taking your eyes off Jesus and that one thing will be the new center of your world. And, like Peter, when you turn your focus from Jesus to what surrounds you, you will begin to sink.
Jesus must always remain your focus! There are no exceptions! When you follow His words, when you pray, when you listen to the Holy Spirit, you will know how to use the things of this world to bring Him glory. It will not always be easy. You will fail in keeping focus on Jesus. Do not lose your faith. Jesus is there to reach out and help you when you get distracted. You just need to call out to Him like Peter did. Here is what Matthew 14 says happened after Peter cried out “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
If you need help identifying where you focus is, write down the answers to these questions:
- What does your checking account tell you about your financial priorities?
- What does your DVR or YouTube history tell you about your viewing priorities?
- What does your podcast, streaming audio, or radio stations tell you about listening priorities?
- What does your pile of books or magazines tell you about your reading priorities?
- What does your calendar tell you about how you choose to spend your time?
- What do your thoughts when you are alone tell you about what is on your heart?
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