There must be something wrong with my eyes, I quietly thought. I strained to read the small-print instructions as I was helping my daughter make instant noodles. Everything was fuzzy, and I could see only red on the package and a bunch of black smears that turned out to be the print. It was an odd sensation, and for a moment, I wondered why I could not see it.
Suddenly, it dawned on me. When I came home that afternoon, I changed clothes, which included removing my glasses. That’s right. I forgot to put them back on. Oh, and did I mention they are bifocals? It is great getting old, isn’t it? I put on my glasses, and suddenly the black smears became legible words. My daughter did not go hungry that day. Dad just needed help to focus.
In case you are living under a rock, our world is crazy right now. None of this should surprise a follower of Christ. The Bible clearly explains everything that is going on, but that does not make it easier. Distractions are everywhere, and if we are not careful, we can easily lose focus.
If you have read my blog before, you have likely noticed that I am unashamedly Spirit-filled (pentecostal) in my theological beliefs and practices. Hearing words like “the Spirit spoke to me” is very normal in my world. Probably because the Spirit does speak if we listen…But I digress. This morning, I sat in my favorite coffeehouse, reading the Word and a wonderful book on Pentecostal leadership by my friend, Dr. Carolyn Tennant. (Leading Pentecostally is available on Amazon, and I highly recommend it. No, Dr. T. did not pay me for this plug.)
In chapter five, Dr. T. writes about giving God our schedules. I am a busy guy with four kids, pastoring full-time, teaching, and serving as an officer for our Fellowship here in KY. So, her words struck me as she writes, “I regularly began praying over each task scheduled for my day and requested the Lord’s guidance in it all.” (ref below) I realized I have not always asked God to have control of my calendar. This was an amazing revelation but let me back up a moment.
A few minutes before I read these words, the Lord spoke to me. That’s right God does speak to us, but I already mentioned that. “Keep your eyes looking forward. Do not look at the chaos at the right or left. Keep your eyes on me.” Then I read the words above. I think God is telling me something. Maybe, two connected things.
First, I need to ask God to manage my calendar. (Insert Jesus take the wheel here!)
Second, I need to make sure that in the craziness of life and the world spinning out of control, I keep my eyes on Jesus. Keeping my eyes on Jesus is a matter of focus. Like reading a label without my bifocals, living for Jesus without looking at Him is fruitless.
Put on your spiritual bifocals. Keep your eyes on Jesus. After all, He is the goal!
Tennant, Carolyn, Leading Pentecostally: Everything Lives Where the River Flows, MeadowStream Publishing: Kentucky, 2025, pg 94.
Now, go buy Dr. T’s book.
Through Time 