Pick
up any article on life, sports, business or relationships; listen to talking
heads you will inevitably read or hear about the topic of focus. Focus…focus…focus.
It’s brought up over and over again. It’s rolling through the media; business
and self-help articles are all proclaiming the virtues of focus.
From
technology, to self-help, to entertainment, focus is a cornerstone of life that
everyone accepts as being critical. Check out these video clips[1]
on YouTube that talk about focus. While not agreeing with or necessarily
enjoying their language, these clips provide an important sampling of how focus
is woven into our culture;
- City Slickers, staring Billy Crystal. In this scene Jack Palance (Curly) tells Billy about focusing by “finding your one thing” – http://youtu.be/2k1uOqRb0HU
- Jeff Dunham, Spark of Insanity. Jeff and Peanut banter back and forth about the need to focus – http://youtu.be/1bOoJz3MFmQ
- Tony Robbins, explains how to focus and its impact on life – http://youtu.be/fWZGg3h8kxM
- Steve Jobs speaks at Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference, defining focus as being about saying no – http://youtu.be/H8eP99neOVs
To
summarize, focus requires thinking; focus is using our brains.
And
when it comes to using our brains in connection with faith, there is a huge disconnect
that’s the size of the Grand Canyon. Our culture, friends and the media all
define faith as this blind leap into nothingness. Sometimes you might think
that having faith is unplugging your brain and leaping over an intellectual
cliff. You may have heard this; you may even have said it.
But
nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Jesus. You may be
surprised to find out that Jesus and the Bible encourages our focus and thoughtful
reflection; he commands us to focus, think and reflect a great deal.
The Bible defines faith[2]
with words like;
- Confidence – like a legal document proving that you own your car or house
- Assurance – proof based on testing, having seen the results
- Understand – see with reflection and intelligence
In
talking about worry, Jesus directs us to think, focus and use our brains. In
contrast to the problems with worry, Jesus says “Consider how the wild flowers
grow.[3]”
Jesus tells us to look at, think about, chew over, reflect and talk through.
And he wants us to do this again and again, spending time as we work it
through. He does not tell us to jump off a bridge without a net; he tells us something
to think about.
Faith
in Jesus, following him and becoming like him requires deep, prolonged and
consistent reflection and thinking. After Paul met Jesus in a personal and
meaningful way, he went into the Arabian Desert for three years where Jesus
personally taught and instructed him. This was no Mr. Spock induced Vulcan Mind
Meld or “uploading” programs through The Matrix neck plugs, Neo and Morpheus.
No, it is a process that takes time, thinking, rethinking.
I
have friends that meet with me for coffee and we talk about life, faith and our
questions. They have come to describe this thinking process as a journey, and I
can’t think of a better word to describe it. Faith in Jesus is both a one-time
event and an ongoing process. We come to Jesus by faith[4]
and we walk with Jesus through faith[5].
“A
journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step”…Won’t you start your
journey with Jesus?
Blessings – Chet
Chet Gladkowski speaks and writes on topics that touch on culture, life and faith through GLAD Associates. This article is taken from a chapter in his upcoming book.
[1]
These clips contain swearing and may not be appropriate for everyone
[2]
Hebrews 11:1-3
[3]
Matthew 6:28
[4]
Ephesians 2:8
[5]
Colossians 2:6
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