As we go through life accumulating stuff and accolades, we would do well to heed the words of the Apostle Paul. He said everything he had gained in this world was garbage. Whatever things he had acquired or prestige he received, none of it counted for anything (Philippians 3:7-8). I dare say we’ve not accomplished anything close to what Paul accomplished in his life.
But while we cling to our possessions and honors, Paul dismissed his. He did so because he knew nothing compared to the eternal love and beauty of Jesus. Paul understood what it meant to devote one’s life to Christ. Jesus was not an interesting diversion for Paul. Jesus was his life. Can we claim such singleness of purpose and focus in our lives?
It is this very singleness of purpose to which Jesus calls all who claim Him as Lord. Today we’ve become fascinated by distractions. There is more information available to us, more entertainment choices from which to choose, and more opinions than are healthy! Everything in this world pulls at our attention. If you can’t see the devil behind this, you aren’t looking very hard. Satan’s goal has always been to divert our eyes from Jesus and move our focus to something else.
Have you noticed it’s more difficult to concentrate than ever before? When was the last time you spent a couple of hours reading, studying, listening to music, or just being still without having your thoughts constantly diverted? We can’t enjoy the moments anymore because our brains have been methodically and systematically rewired. Do you know why you can’t focus on one thing for very long? It’s because you are searching for something you can’t find! We long for God, but we won’t find Him in the things of this world. And yet, we keep jumping from one thing to another, looking for something to bring us peace, happiness, and fulfillment. We find those things only in Jesus.
Whatever we gain by pursuing the hundred different things we do every day is all garbage. Meaningless. Not worth your time. Only Jesus is worth our pursuit. Only Jesus will ever fill that ache in your soul. God created us to live in harmony with Himself. He did not intend for us to spend our lives pursuing self-serving goals. When we live for what we can acquire and for the praise of others, we look just like Satan. But when we devote our lives to God and His mission, we look a lot like Jesus.
No prize, no possession, and no honor compare to knowing Jesus. Hold anything up next to Christ and you will see what you hold is garbage. Everything pales compared to the love and beauty of Christ. There is nothing else worth our lives. Only Jesus satisfies. Only He has the keys to eternal life. And only Jesus will remain after this world passes away. There is nothing else worth your focus. Train your eyes on Jesus and never let them stray. He is worthy of our devotion, and we are desperately lost without Him. Is Jesus your Lord? Focus on Him alone today.