Unbroken FocusSample

DAY 4: FIXED FOCUS “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” HEBREWS 12:1-3 (NIV) In today’s devotional, we’re going to focus on “fixing our focus.” If we’re going to develop an unbroken focus, we must first fix it. Hebrews 12:2 starts by encouraging us to FIX our EYES on JESUS. It’s imperative that you enter this next season with your eyes FIXED. But often, we procrastinate fixing things that are still functional. We lack the sense of urgency to repair things that can still function while broken. A month ago, my “change oil” light came on in my car, and because it didn’t immediately hinder my car’s ability to drive, I didn’t think it was an urgent need to get it changed. After a month of procrastination, my engine started to make a noise, and my car ride was no longer as smooth and fluid as it once was. Although my car was functioning, it was gradually getting worse. I’ve learned that functioning while fractured isn’t sustainable. God wants you to experience a certain level of fluidity in your life; God wants your life to move in a certain stride. That level of flow and fluidity can only be obtained by focusing your attention on Jesus. Fixing your eyes on Jesus requires you to consciously take your eyes off something else. The image in front of you influences imagination, and imagination influences imitation. Notice how you find the word Nation in the word imagination. Merriam- Webster defines the word “nation” as, “A large body of people, associated with a particular TERRITORY, that is sufficiently conscious of its unity to seek or possess a government, particularly its own.” Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of what you watch because the devil will send images that become imaginations to take territory in your mind. Maybe the thing that’s taking over your mind results from what you see. Every nation has a nature, and when images sent by the enemy become imaginations, you literally take on the nature of whatever you constantly see. My prayer is that you would fix your eyes on Jesus every day so that His Spirit can take territory in your mind and that you take on the nature of His nation. Jesus is our greatest example of faith. Jesus had a healthy perspective and perception of His experiences. Perception is your understanding of what you see, and perspective is your viewpoint. Jesus had the right understanding and viewpoint of His assignment. This is how Jesus was able to sustain His focus and endure the cross because His eyes were fixed on pleasing His Father. Therefore, we look to Him not just because of what He endured but also how He endured. Peter and Jesus had two totally different perceptions and perspectives of Jesus being crucified. We all know the story in Matthew 16:22, when Peter rebuked Jesus after He told the disciples that He must be crucified. Jesus viewed it as an assignment; Peter viewed it as an attack. Jesus knew there was a purpose behind His suffering. Maybe you have the wrong view of your experience because you don’t know the purpose behind it. I pray that God will fix our eyes and help us sustain our focus this season. LET US PRAY Dear God, I come to You asking for forgiveness of all my sins. God, I pray that You would create a clean heart and renew the right spirit in me. Lord, I invite You into my heart, mind, and spirit today. God, I ask that You fix any brokenness in my life. Repair my heart, repair my mind, and repair my emotions. God, I pray that You would surgically remove anything inside me that causes me to take my eyes off Jesus. Fix my eyes, God. Give me wisdom on how to guard my eye gates. God heal my sight. Enhance my sight so that I may see You and others can see You through me. Amen.