Focusing on Christ

by Evan Burns

On the teen mission trip to West Virginia the theme for the lessons was to encourage focusing on Christ instead of the world and realize that God will bless us when we do.

Peter, in Matthew 14:25-33, was struggling with putting his focus solely on Christ. We find Jesus miraculously walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. After the disciples realize it is Jesus, Peter quickly requests permission to join Him out on the water. Peter understood that, left to his own abilities, he would sink and probably drown, but he had confidence in Jesus. He understood that Jesus can help us do amazing things if we just believe in Him and focus on following Him. Peter however, lost that focus. Noticing the fierce winds and waves, he began to sink.

Today we face storms in our lives that tempt us to lose concentration. These storms can come in the forms of health problems, pink-slip at work, family issues, etc. And much like Peter we are reduced to make a desperate, child-like plea for help that no one but Jesus can give. We will all certainly make mistakes, and there will be times when we take our eyes off our Lord and begin to sink. If we don't give up though, Jesus will grab our hands and pull us up.

Peter took several detours on his way in following Christ, but he kept his focus on Christ and was able to become an effective servant. Christ has a place prepared for each of us in His Father's house, if we can maintain our focus on Him through the storms of this world.