4-30-2018

Good Morning All,

         Colossians 3:1Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position

    A number of years ago I took 13 teenagers to San Antonio for the National Youth Gathering.  One of the “side events” was to go to the amusement park “6 Flags over Texas.” This is a huge amusement park.  Of course the kids challenged me to go on at least one ride.  I actually don’t mind the rides but I figured I should probably keep track of the 13 teens rather than go for fun.  Now, I know I am not as young as I used to be but I am young enough to take some challenges.  So I rode on some type of roller coaster.

    As I did, I remembered an old trick that a friend I have that used to love amusement parks.  As a teenager, his family would travel for their vacations and they would always go to an amusement park and he would always ride the various rides.  He told me that this trick.  When you get in the ride, don’t be in the very front always have a car ahead of you.  Next, as you ride, find a rivet or a screw or some other spot on the car ahead of you and focus your eyes on that spot.  He said you won’t get dizzy or have any problems seeing because that spot is going to lead you to where you are going.  You only get dizzy if you watch the area around you and it goes by in a blur.

     Our faith life is the same way.  Our text speaks of focusing our heart on things that are above; we focus our eyes upon Jesus.  When we truly focus on Jesus, we are able to follow him where he leads us without all the distractions around us.  It is when we start to focus on the events around us that we really begin to struggle.  These sights, these events which occur on the outside of our focus are the ones which can distract us from our faith.  If we look around us, we begin to see and hear things that will tend to cause us to be lose sight of our hope and our salvation; we need to keep our focus on things above- on Jesus.

    The struggles and problems of this world can cause us to become lost and depressed.  We can lose a job, or a spouse or our own health can deteriorate until we struggle greatly.  These things can cause us to lose our focus on Jesus and his great Gospel.  The truth that you and I are forgiven of our sins and that we are given eternal life in heaven.  We lose sight of the fact that God has promised to give us comfort here on this earth and renew us with the promise of our salvation.  So keep your eyes focused on things above.  We do this with prayer and Scripture reading and with devotional time.  Spend some time focusing on Jesus so when trouble strikes we are in the habit and mindset to call to Him first and receive from Him the consolation that we need.

Gracious Father, help us to keep focused on things above; to keep focused on Jesus and his wonderful mercy.  Strengthen our resolve and strengthen our faith that we may cling only to you.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret