Let Us Fix Our Eyes On Jesus (Part 2)

The personalization of my quiet time yesterday was to "fix my eyes on Jesus". This seems like such a simple application, especially for a pastor. In some people's eyes, I am a "professional Christian". Honestly, I have struggled over the years with people calling me "Pastor" or putting "Pastor" in front of my name. I have always been more comfortable with "Jonathan" or "Johnny" for those who know me well. But, this is another story for another day.

Anyway, where was I, oh...the application to my quiet time yesterday was to "fix my eyes on Jesus". Well, as I was praying through that and meditating on that phrase, I looked at the picture on my computer desktop background and it was a picture of Graystone's new church building. You know, the one that we had a ground breaking service for on June 1 and the one that we are hoping to build SOON.Well, as I was meditating on "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus" and looking at the picture of the new church building that has been sitting on my computer desktop for well over 6 months, I realized that my focus has not been on Jesus but on that building. Somehow, subconsciously, seeing that picture on my desktop 24/7, has caused me to shift my focus to the new church building. And it does not help that EVERYONE (and I mean EVERYONE: friends, family, church members, ball park folks, neighbors, the mailman, teachers at the kid's school, other pastors, people I do not even know...I mean EVERYONE that I come in contact with) inevitably asks me, "When are you going to start construction on the new building?". In fact, discussion of the new building comes up in every staff meeting. And I am ashamed to admit, it is my prayer request at the end of every small group meeting. My mom asks me about the new building in every one of our weekly phone conversations (although she thinks that I never call her and we barely get to talk...again, another story for another day).

So, what I have realized and what I am confessing to you, is that I have put too much focus on the new building. The new church building is NOT the prize. Jesus is the prize. Jesus is the reward. Jesus is sufficient. He is all I need. And I need to shift my focus and my gaze upon him. I literally need to "fix my eyes on Jesus". So, yesterday, I changed the picture on my desktop computer wallpaper. It is a somewhat tasteful (if that is possible) picture of Jesus hanging on the cross. And yes my friends, I do know that Jesus is no longer hanging on the cross but is ALIVE (BTW, that's what this Sunday at Graystone is all about, and it is going to be like celebrating "Easter in November"...I cannot wait!). Even though Jesus is no longer on the cross (the cross is empty), I thought it would do me some good to literally "fix my eyes on Jesus". I think it is good for me and all of us to spend some time focusing on Christ crucified...more on this tomorrow.

Let me turn the table on you...I have put too much focus on the new church building. What have you put too much focus on? What have you fixed your eyes on other than Jesus? Is it your kids? Finances? The economy? The election? Sports? Your job or career? You spouse (or future spouse if you are single)? Your body? Somebody else's body?

What desktop picture do you need to take off of your computer (literally or figuratively)?