Focus
April 7, 2024
Dr. Paul Cannings
There is a splendid moment in Jurassic Park when world-class paleontologist Allen Grant, who has devoted his life to studying dinosaurs, suddenly comes face-to-face with real, live prehistoric creatures. He falls to the ground, dumbstruck. The reason is apparent. It is one thing to piece together an informed, but imperfect image of dinosaurs by picking through fossils and bones. But to encounter an actual dinosaur—well, there can be no comparison. Citation: William D. Hendricks, Exit Interviews (Chicago: Moody, 1993) Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion – Perfect Illustrations: For Every Topic and Occasion.
In our Christian walk, we rightfully seek to learn the scriptures, learn to pray, learn to use our spiritual gift, etc. We are sometimes careful to attend Bible study, small group classes, Sunday worship, and ministry meetings. We seek to consistently function this way because we sincerely desire a closer walk with the Lord. When Moses experienced the glory of the Lord on Mount Zion or his fellowship with the Lord in the tent of meeting, Moses would actually tell God he would rather not go anywhere unless the Lord goes with him, no matter the troubles in the journey ahead. He did not want an angel to lead him, only God (Exodus 33:12:23). When the disciples were with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, all that mattered was how to have the best worship service ever. Every time a person experiences God’s presence, whether it is Isaiah, Paul going to the third heavens, or the elders in Revelation, all that matters is how they can worship and serve. Paul’s experience caused him to count all things lost so that his entire focus would be to gain Christ (Philippians 3:1-8), and that is the only mark he was interested in pressing to (Philippians 3:12-16). Because of these experiences, Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed for us.” (Romans 8:18). This is because Paul wanted to learn how to live in the power of the resurrection (Philippians 3:9-11) so that in his weakness he could experience Christ’s strength (2 Corinthians 12:7-11). Paul’s experience of Christ in His glory gave him confidence to do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
When a person tries to assemble a puzzle, they keep the picture before them while the pieces are put together. Many times in our walk with God, we focus on the pieces: Bible study, worship, devotions, etc. We need to first focus on God in His majesty, as David would express in Psalm 8. This would cause us to pray differently, trust with more adoration, worship with more reverence and awe, obey God with more humility, and love others with more grace.