“A focused life is not perfect but focuses on the perfect One, Jesus Christ!”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 16, 2024
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Your world, like mine, is brimming with distractions; we find ourselves often pulled in many directions, our minds scattered, and our spirits weary. Yet, Jesus invites us into a life of focused attention, a life where the branches of our existence bear fruit through abiding in Him. To focus is to choose the essential over the urgent, the eternal over the temporal. It is to sit at the feet of Jesus, like Mary, who chose the better part (Luke 10:42). Our focus on Christ is not an escape from reality but an entrance into the deeper reality of God’s presence. Here, in this sacred abiding, we find the nourishment needed for our souls to flourish and our lives to bear fruit.
Consider the life of the vine and the branches. The branch does not strain or struggle to produce fruit; it simply abides in the vine, drawing sustenance and life from it. So it is with us. Our fruitfulness is not the result of frantic activity but the natural outcome of a life deeply rooted in Christ. When our focus is fixed on Him, His love flows through us, producing the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). A focused life is not perfect but focuses on the perfect One, Jesus Christ!
This focused abiding requires intentionality. It is a daily practice of turning our hearts and minds towards God amidst the noise and busyness. It includes setting aside specific times for prayer and reflection, immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, and seeking solitude to listen to God’s voice. As we cultivate these disciplines, we find our focus shifting from the myriad of distractions to the One who holds all things together. Focus bears fruit as the fruit of being God’s beloved.
As you focus on Christ, you also learn to see the world through His eyes. Your relationships, work, and daily tasks are infused with His presence. You begin to recognize opportunities to serve, to love, and to bring His light into dark places. Your focused life bears fruit not only in personal transformation but also in impacting the world around you. By God’s grace, embrace the call to focus on Jesus, knowing that you find your true life and purpose in Him. Trust that as you remain in Christ, He will make your life abundantly fruitful. In the stillness of focused abiding, you find the strength and grace to live fruitfully, bringing glory to the Vine and joy to your soul. Focus allows you to feast on the fruit of relational health, financial stability, perseverance to see a plan to completion, and wisdom and love to finish well for God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to abide in You with undivided hearts. Help us to focus on Your love and presence so that we may bear the fruit of Your Spirit in our lives. Grant us the grace to turn away from distractions and to center our lives in You. Amen.
Application
What plan or project do I need to stay focused on and finish what I started?
Related Reading
Isaiah 26:3; Proverbs 4:25; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 3:17
Worship Resource
Stephen McWhirter: Come Jesus Come
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