A Focus to Follow
Devotion given by MistyAnn Thomas
In today’s world, it is easy to become consumed by the pursuit of our wants and desires, making them our sole focus and prioritizing ourselves over others. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, along with the evening news and countless advertisements we encounter on our way to work, school, or church, constantly push the message to do whatever makes us feel good. However, pursuing these distractions often leaves us feeling empty and unsatisfied. We must consider how much we sacrifice to obtain what we desire: friendships, family, and even our sense of community.
Jesus repeatedly said, "Follow me."
He is calling us to follow him—are we truly listening? Before we can lead, we must learn how to follow. This principle applies in all aspects of life.
Who followed Jesus? Who gave up everything to walk and learn from Him? There was a tax collector—a person considered among the worst of the worst- who chose to follow Him. Fishermen- who had previously focused on the best nets, boats, and fishing spots- realized that by following Jesus, they would become "fishers of men" and play an important role in many lives.
There was a woman who had endured great turmoil, possessed by seven demons and shackled by her own family because of her struggles.
Another woman sacrificed expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet.
From the Bible, particularly in John 6:1-14, we conclude that over 5000 people from various backgrounds and stories followed Him. These individuals had no idea where He would lead them, and they didn’t ask numerous clarifying questions before making their decision, they followed.
What do we learn in following Jesus?
We learn the importance of prayer. At times, he went away by himself to be alone (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46–47; John 6:15). “He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). His disciples saw him leave to pray, and later return.)
We learn the validity of fasting. In reading Matthew 6:16-18 “And WHEN you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But WHEN you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
We learn about compassion in his interactions with the women who had suffered for 12 years with a bleeding disorder. After she worked up the courage and had the faith to believe that just a touch of his robe would bring her healing, his response to her was, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” (Matt 9:20-22) An Official with a dying son pleading to Jesus in Capernaum (John 4:46-53), A synagogue leader, falling at Jesus’ feet, begging him to heal his daughter (Mark 5:21-24) who was deathly ill, in fact, the funeral had already started by the time Jesus and his disciples arrived to see her…. Jesus’s words were not to dismiss Jarius’ concerns or grief, but instead, he told him, “Do not fear, only believe”(Mark 5:35-43) These are just some stories showing us that he cares for people with all types of needs regardless of their social status and that anything is possible with faith.
We learn about our natural God-given emotions like love, sorrow, and anger
We learn that faith is essential to follow through our circumstances even during extreme difficulties and hard times. In Matt 26:36-46 we see that Jesus has an understanding he needed guidance and comfort that only God the Father could give him and in turn he is living by example.
Jesus exemplified leadership through sacrificial service. He left heaven (Philippians 2) to come to earth and serve us by giving His life, so that through Him, we could have life and be reconciled to God. If we want to lead others, we must be willing to serve just as Jesus served us.
How do we take all this information and use it to follow Jesus? Our first step is to choose to believe. It is not easy, and the challenges don’t just go away when we believe, but the only way to truly have peace throughout life is to decide to have faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
As we look into our scripture in Romans 12 we have some clear guidance on the practical steps to stabilize and maintain our journey with Jesus.
Choose daily (sometimes moment by moment) to offer your life – every part to God (v. 1)
Fix your focus, your attention, on God things, not things of this world (v. 2)
Be humble- think and intentionally focus on others- realizing it takes all of us, all kinds, to fill the body of Christ. Be thankful for all he does for us – not seeking thanks from Him for what we do (v. 3)
You have a gift! Discover, develop and deploy your gift (v. 4-6)
Love with all you have – be devoted to one another in love (v. 9-10)
Don’t burn out – keep yourself fueled with God’s word and prayer, be joyful in love, and be patient when life is challenging and difficult. (v. 11-12)
Choose to bless- do not curse your enemies, not even under your breath; be happy with those who are happy, share tears when others are down and struggling; be friends with everyone- don’t be high and mighty thinking you are better than others (v. 14-16)
Don’t hit back, don’t get even; God knows every situation, and he will take of it. Find the beauty in everyone, know that everyone has something to share. (v. 17-19)
Look for opportunities, in practical ways, to help- feed the hungry, give drink to those who thirst, bring comfort to those who are hurting. (v. 20)
Don’t let evil get your full attention- turn your focus on doing good. (v. 21)
I would encourage each of us to meditate on one thing listed above and ask God how he wants us to use that today, tomorrow, this week. As we practice our Focus to Follow, our minds will shift and God things will start to come more naturally.
