“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

 We live in an incredible, almost over-whelming Information Age!  Computers and continuous news programs have changed our lives.  If you watch a movie that is more than 25 years old, you are not likely to see computers or cell phones, never mind I-Phones.  Just a few short years ago, things like texting and Facebook were unknown, but are now commonly used by millions all over the world.

At times, for some of us who are older, it feels like information overload!  How can a Christian wade through all of this while maintaining a regular, vital, “quiet time” with the Lord?  How can a believer maintain spiritual BALANCE against all of the competing sources of information?  How do we sort out the things that are most important?

For the answer, let’s turn to the living Word of God, that is always up to date.  Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers….one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is AHEAD, I press on toward the GOAL to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14 

ONE THING!  He had a focus!  His calling was his goal!  He was not going to be detoured or changed!  In the midst of your busy life, in the midst of all the “information” flowing in your direction, are you making time for the Lord and His Word and His goad for your life?  Notice how Philippians 3 ends with people who put their focus or “mind” on earthly things that would soon pass away!  They were crowding OUT the ONE THING!  That’s the danger and that’s the point!

In Luke 10:38-42, we see a very interesting dialogue between Jesus and Martha.  Martha was quite upset that Jesus was allowing her sister Mary to sit at His feet while she was doing all the work!  Jesus rebuked her saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Mary was focused on Jesus and His Word.

Maybe this is a good time of year to check our focus:  How do I spend my time?  How do I spend my money?  These are two great barometers of my values.  Let’s sharpen our focus in the future.  It has to be a discipline.

I like the words of a little hymn by Helen H. Lemmel:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,  look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Pastor Terry