See the Beauty (Behold Jesus)ਨਮੂਨਾ

Behold Him With Attention

We're a generation that takes pride in being all over the place. I know this too well because being found in different places was evidence of purpose, progress, and effectiveness. Technological advancement and access to the internet have increased the amount of information that we're exposed to. Following the rise of phone and screen addiction, research has shown that the general population's attention span has decreased significantly. We see the spillover of this even at church, where people no longer want to have longer services. We are a distracted generation, hopping from one thing to another. I see this lack of focus on our faith journey, and we no longer linger in the presence of the Lord. We have allowed our decreasing attention span to come between our communion with the Holy Spirit. Trying not to feel guilty about being distracted, we fill the gaps with Christian material while still not prioritising time with the Lord. This conversation is not purposed to shame but to enlighten a problem that we're faced with, we are scattered. Thank God that we have a loving father who longs to be with us and is constantly inviting us to the table. I don't know what focusing your attention may look like, but I would like to encourage you to challenge the distractions and prioritise wasting time in God's presence. I would like to encourage you to block out the noise and linger in God's presence. In a world that wants you to look in several directions, I encourage you to put on the blinkers and have your eyes focused on Jesus. This may differ from person to person, but add a few more minutes to beholding Him. He has so much He wants to tell you, and so much to say to me, too.

When I read Isaiah 26:3-4, I realise that I have been lacking peace because my thoughts are not FIXED on Him. He will keep us in PERFECT peace when our thoughts are fixed on Him. Perfect peace can only come from a perfect God. In your day-to-day, especially in times of high pressure and stress, keep your thoughts fixed on Him. NKJV says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You." The way that it is written, it uses the word "because," showing that having your mind stayed on Him is a sign of trust.

Let's Pray:

Lord Jesus, help us to find fulfilment and fruit in spending time with you. We present to you our scattered and distracted brains, laying them down at your feet to be fixed on you. Just as Mary sat on your feet and beholding your beauty, may that same level of focus and attention be found in us. Help us, Holy Spirit, to have our thoughts fixed on a perfect God in an imperfect world. We pray for your word to dwell richly in us. In Jesus' name, Amen