“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith…” (Hebrew 12:2/GWT)

     Every morning, my dog, Riley, has a ritual. She goes outside to take care of business and then comes to the door. When she walks in, I say, “Sit,” or just touch her, and she sits. She knows what is coming next. I have buried a special treat in the living room. She must stay in that sitting position if it’s for one minute or five minutes. Riley knows she can’t move before she hears the command to “search” or “go.” I have noticed every morning, though, without fail, that Riley never takes her intently focused eyes off me. I could be in the kitchen getting a cup of coffee or just wandering around. Her eyes follow me. Even if I leave the room. As soon as I return, you can tell she has been looking in the direction that I left. It’s worth it for her to obey and be alert. There is a marvelous prize waiting. Riley knows she won’t get the goodies if she moves too quickly.

Riley is well-trained.

     As children of God, we are not as well trained. We know and understand that there is a glorious reward awaiting us… better than any special pleasure imaginable. We will one day see Jesus face-to-face and spend eternity in heaven… no mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore (Rev. 21:4), everlasting joy and gladness (Isaiah 35:10). There has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift so grand! We get distracted, though, and take our eyes off the ONE leading us.

     In the world today, there are a million reasons to get preoccupied. It could be we are watching:

• The wealthy continue to have even more.
• Overwhelming natural disasters.
• The political arena.
• Our health declining.
• Biblical leaders fail and fall.
• Questionable changes happening in the U.S. at lightning speed, that make no sense.
• Other ministry workers succeed when we might not be doing as well.
• People are getting promoted over others.
• A nonstop series.

There is always something trying to attract our attention. We must be steadfast, without doubt, even when things in our world seem to be falling apart. We have one HOPE, one Future, one God, who is trustworthy and praiseworthy.

So, sit. Get your focus back on Jesus and His word. Wait for His direction. Then move when he says “go.”

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will go strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Lemmel)