Focus For 2006

As in everything worthwhile in life, one must have a central focus to make life work out successfully. I listened to one of the world's richest men some time ago. When asked what the secret of his success was, without hesitation he replied, "Having a goal and sticking with it!" His goal was to make the most money of any man alive. I questioned in my mind whether such a goal was worthy. Nevertheless apparently that was what he lived for. As we face another New Year, we can do no better than to follow the biblical injunction for success: "Looking away to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). As we run life's race, we must fix our eyes on someone or something for success. The Bible tells us here that that someone should be Jesus Christ! No one or nothing else is worthy of such sustained devotion. Who is Jesus that He should command such respect and homage? Well, He is the Creator-God (John 1:1-10) and Life-giver. We were made by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:1-17). The whole universe holds together in Him (Colossians 1:17). Furthermore, out of unsurpassed love, He left Heaven's glory and died on the cross for our sins (Philippians 1:1-12). He is the Saviour Who set His mind on the humiliation and agony of the cross in order to save His own. Why, even the angels of Heaven worship Him (Hebrews 1:6)! He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can approach the Father (God) except by Him (John 14:6). Our future is inextricably linked to Jesus Christ Who is the "Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25,26). He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, i.e. the reason for our faith and the end of our faith. So captivating is this great One that all others pale into insignificance beside Him. It is at the name of Jesus that ultimately every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 1:11). Note also that we must "look away". Away from what? Away from the problems of life, away from ourselves, away from others. Away from our sins and weaknesses (Heb. 12:1). Until we learn to abandon all else in our inner affections but Jesus Christ, we will never be unified inwardly. One does well to pray to the Lord constantly to"unite my heart" to praise Him. Rick Warren in his international blockbuster and best seller book, The Purpose-Driven Life , very simply but logically sets forth the importance of living life with Christ as the centre. The fact that millions have bought this book, making it a runaway bestseller, and have found it so helpful in facing the challenges of modern-day living in the fast lane bears witness to the fact that the age-old formual for living, "For me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21), must be right. I've heard Rick, a humble California pastor, interviewed a number of times on TV and what he says is very rudimentary. He is so definite and dogmatic that one soon either dismisses what he says or accepts it as credible. Obviously the majority find what he sets forth as accurate and true. He postulates that for life to be satisfying, Jesus Christ must be at its centre. The purpose-driven life is the Christ centred life! In conclusion, let me wish you the happiest and best New Year ever. It will be if you set your mind and inner focus on Jesus Christ. "Fix you eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith!" You cannot go wrong. During the war years, when the war was going badly for the allies, King George the sixth quoted a soon to become famous saying to Britain in a national broadcast on New Years' Eve: "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'. He said to me, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That will be unto thee better than light and safer than the known way.'" We ask you to do the same, dear friend. Throughout history, Jesus has elevated the crushed soul. Look away to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. And Jesus Who knows and controls the future will fill your life with meaning and inner satisfaction. God bless you. 1/31/06 Edit