No Sadder Thing

Written by Colette Fabry

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him…” Hebrews 3:1-2a 

Whenever I have a project due, I have to lock myself in a room and increase my focus. Otherwise, I get bombarded with distractions that steal time and get my eyes off of the goal. 

One of the most brilliant lessons Jesus ever modeled was the importance of never losing focus. He consistently remembered the reason he was on earth, the goal set before him, and the mission He was sent to accomplish. 

There were times when the dysfunctions of this world caused Jesus to weep, to get alone in prayer, and to cry out asking God if He had forsaken Him. The pain of the cross and the sin that was poured out on Him seemed, maybe for just a moment, to have caused Him to lose sight of his Father. But through all of this, He endured- even to the cross. He kept His eyes toward the Almighty Father and His mission as His goal. 

Jesus was always clear, “For I came down from heaven, not to do my will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38 

He was faithful to that for 33 years. Every single one of his smaller missions was under the sovereignty of this highest one. He continually reminded people that their purpose was the same; their lives were to glorify the Father. Paul actually calls this our “profession”, to be faithful to Who appointed us. Whatever we are facing, trials or triumphs, we can’t forget that our purpose, what we profess with our lives, should be faithful to fulfilling the will of the Father. 

Like Jesus, our lives are to be lived for that ultimate goal. Are you being distracted? Focused on others’ faults? Struggling with conflict? Weighed down by circumstances? Are you wrapped up in selfishness, self-fulfillment, sin? Have you lost sight of God? 

David, in Psalm 34, got alone with God during one of the most horrible distractions of his life, and came away exhilarated. While in that cave, his perspective changed as he was reminded of the reason he was alive. He got his focus back on the God whom he served.

I can’t imagine a sadder thing than to have lived an entire life focusing on wrong things and temporary distractions in a fallen world. Or for a person to miss altogether…that the very reason they are given breath is for God’s glory. 

Oh, Satan loves it when our focus is off and distractions dictate our reasons for living! Distractions have to be dealt with, but definitely not focused on. They steal our time and keep us from accomplishing the most important goal and greatest privilege- to fulfill the will and purpose of our Father.