How quick we are to take our eyes off Jesus. Why? How is it we go from professing our love and allegiance to Him in one moment and being self-absorbed and mindless of His commands the next? Our problem isn’t belief or even commitment, but consistency. The Devil knows this and exploits our weakness here at every opportunity. Satan doesn’t care where your initial focus is or about the current direction of your life.
The evil one concerns his attention only with where he can divert your focus and alter your destination. It’s sad how willingly we play into his hands, and we do it on repeat. It would be bad enough if this happened only in times of trial or difficult circumstances, but we give in to this loss of focus even in the best of times.
Perhaps the best example of this given in the Bible is when Peter was walking on water. This is one of those stories that unbelievers will say is impossible, but as those who know the truth understand, nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26) The story is told in Matthew 14:22-33. The typical emphasis in studying this passage is Jesus walking on water. That is indeed an unprecedented miracle. But after all, He is the Son of God, so while His feat is incredible, we can’t think of it as beyond the realm of possibility. Peter, an ordinary man, walking on water is a miracle on a whole other level.
Peter asked Jesus to call him out of the boat and to come to Him. Jesus obliged, and Peter stepped out on the waves as if they were no more than gentle hills of land. What faith Peter had! To ask to walk on water is audacious; but to do it is phenomenal. Oh, that we had such faith! But just like us, Peter succumbed to a loss of focus. One minute he was looking at Jesus and walking on water, and the next he was looking at the waves around him and beginning to sink.
Don’t shake your head at Peter. At least he got out of the boat. We cower under far less pressure than that. Imagine your greatest anxiety in sharing the gospel and compare that to stepping out of a boat in the middle of the sea. There’s no comparison. Peter wins. In the end, his failure was because of a loss of focus. Just like us, he allowed his attention to be diverted elsewhere for just a moment. That’s all it takes. A second of distraction can upend your life and leave you helpless and flailing.
Jesus said anyone wanting to follow Him must take up their cross every day. (Luke 9:23) Consistency is a key requirement to living just as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6; Galatians 6:9) One thing Christ modeled throughout His life was His total dependency on His Father. (John 5:19; John 8:28-29) He needed to speak with Him often and to obey Him always. (Mark 1:35; Luke 22:42) If Jesus needed those things, how much more do we?
This life is a minefield, and it seems to become more challenging every year. We must watch where we step and be mindful of the way we walk. (Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5) Any loss of focus carries the potential for devastating consequences. We can’t risk it. We’re not strong enough on our own, and Satan is always waiting to pounce. (1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:10-11) Maintain your focus and keep your eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2) There is nothing apart from Him that is worthy of your attention, and anything outside of Christ only leads to death. (Romans 6:23; John 14:6) Surrender to Jesus, maintain your focus on Him, and you will avoid an eternity suffering the foolish consequences of your distractions. (Matthew 16:24-26)