Keeping Focus

By Pastor Kevin Van Wyk
​I had an eye appointment the other day, and, yep things are a bit blurry. They did all the regular tests and even high tech pictures of my eye. In the end, I’ll have some new glasses with slightly changed lenses. 
 
My physical vision will be clearer. That was an easy fix. 
 
We live in a very blurry world. Politically, socially, racially, and spiritually our world is divided and distracted. Our news media and social media are filled with conflicting arguments over everything. Should kids play sports? Should they wear masks? Should the government close businesses? Should the federal government send troops into cities? 
 
I can see some of you boiling over in frustration. These issues and others have become very contentious as we want people to see our side is right.  So often I want to play devil’s advocate to push back on strong opinions, but isn’t that really being an advocate for the devil?
 
Paul challenges Timothy…
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” (2 Timothy 2:23-24 NIV)
 
I do believe it matters more how we interact on these issues than whether we “win” the debate. In most of these quarrels, our eyes become blurred, anger and hurt filter what we hear, and we respond by fighting or fleeing. Now, more than ever, we must be the Lord’s servant and be kind to everyone. 
 
The only way we can do that is through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Again, Paul gives great direction to Timothy…
 
“Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.” (1 Timothy 4:13 NLT)
 
What might happen if we truly focused on, i.e. devoted ourselves to, these three things? Read. Encourage. Teach.  
 
We are nudging you to read the minor prophets this summer, watch the Bible Project videos on each one, and then dig into the book with us.
 
In the Fall, we will give you another great opportunity to Read, Encourage, & Teach. We plan to use “Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ.” We hope many of you will use the workbook in your private devotions, discuss it in discipleship groups, and be inspired by the correlating sermons in worship services. This is a significant step in our discipleship path, Journey to 412, toward intentionally growing to be like Christ. 
 
It’s tempting to think more COVID, political, or cultural information will clear up our vision, but don’t count on it. Let’s keep our eyes focused on the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) as we read Scripture, encourage believers, and teach each other.