Maintaining Spiritual Focus

In scripture, it is revealed that healthy focus is that which is fixed ABOVE. This was Paul’s message in his letter to the church at Colosse. In his words: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are ABOVE, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not things on the earth”. Colossians 3:1-3

Paul by these words brought home a very important message: that the life of the Christian should not be largely about ephemeral things, but eternal things.

Do not forget! Apostle Paul already established in Ephesians 2:5-6 that whoever has received the Lord Jesus has been raised with Him and made to sit in heavenly places in Him.

The import of this is that the Christian has got an eternal home in God. Because of his union with Christ, he has an eternal position in the courts of God. Hence, it is only proper that the focus of this believer should be on the activities of his real home. 

The Message Translation puts it thus: 

“So, if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.  Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.”

It is a fundamental truth of the Christian faith that the Christian is not of this world. John 17:16. Hence, we are called the Ambassadors of Christ. We are representatives of our Kingdom here on earth.
We, therefore, cannot afford to live in the temporary, as though it is permanent. Our attention must be fixed on the business of the father and his will for our lives. 

We however find that there are lots of activities that demand our time and resources here on earth.

Tiffany, a Lagos based young professional gets home from work daily by 10 pm, only to hit the road by 5:30 am to be punctual at work. 

Adegoke wears a cap with many feathers, a Fine Artist, Painter, Graphics Designer, and Professional Photographer. He runs all four expressions simultaneously to make ends meet.

Like Tiffany and Adegoke, many people are increasingly finding it difficult to separate ample time for God as a result of legitimate needs and concerns. Note, however, that no matter how legitimate a need is, fulfilment of purpose is primary. Here are some tips we have highlighted:

To fulfil our purpose, we must live for the one who died for us 2Cor5: 15. Intentional spiritual focus is therefore obligatory. Here are some tips we have highlighted:

• Create a structure of fervency: Get your desires up again, if you have been cold for a while. The feeling of dissatisfaction we often have, even when we have our hustle game right is a symptom of spiritual lethargy. True satisfaction is from the Lord. Hence, when you are not in the word and prayer consistently, your being will react. Mark out a time to study and pray daily and be consistent with it. Start small, then grow in it.

• Be faithful in a local church: A key idea of God for the development of the Christian is the local church. Here, you get to learn the word and pray together as a community. We find strength in communion with others, and we are submitted to an oversight who monitors our spiritual progress. 

• Have an accountability system: Be in a circle of friends that are on fire for the Lord Proverbs 17:17. Reduce the influence of friends who water down the things of God and embrace ‘woke’ ideas. 1Corinthains 15:33. Receive strength in moments of weakness from your friends, and strengthen them when necessary.

• Put your money where your faith is: As you labour in the natural and make progress, ensure you give financially to the cause of Christ. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be”. Matthew 6:19-21. Invest in the gospel.

• Manage your time: Cut out unnecessary activities. Outsource some tasks if you can. Draw out daily plans and follow through religiously. Utilize spare moments on the bus, laundry periods, to edify yourself. Listen to that message in transit, edify yourself on the go. 

Where your job routine makes it practically impossible for you to gather with the saints, or fellowship with God. Then it’s time to start desiring, praying, and seeking for a new job. Good news is, God sees your heart and he is able to cause that change to happen.

Passive Christianity is never the will of God for your life. Remember, earthly things are temporal, but spiritual things are eternal and attract eternal rewards.

Would you rather invest in the temporal and make a loss in the eternal? I would rather succeed in both, placing premiums on the ETERNAL.