Strong spirits: focus

How much do you care about what others think?  How focused are you on yourself?  How much do you compare yourself to others?  Are you ever envious or jealous?  Does it ever seem others are way better or have way more than you?

I think we all wrestle with these things.  They are all pretty normal, but they can also all be a problem.  The problem with each of them is focus.

Once Jesus was walking with Peter, giving him some insight on what his life was going to be, and challenging Peter to follow him.  John was also walking with them, and Peter pointed at John and said, "What about him?"  Jesus answered "Don't worry about him.  You follow me!" (John 21:21,22 (my version))

If our focus isn't on Jesus, we are focused on the wrong thing.  To be his follower is to trust him.  To follow him.  To do what he asks to the best of our ability, in his strength.  

Where is your focus today?  Focus on Jesus, and follow him. 

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.