Above The CloudsSample

Telescope Focus 

Yesterday I gave you a depiction of a view atop a mountain. I don’t know if you have ever been to a scenic overlook, but people have realized that we need something to help us clearly experience the view. To help us see over greater distances and through the clouds they invented these things called telescopes (or binoculars.) These telescopes are specifically placed so that we can better focus on the things we set our eyes on. The problem can come when we decide to focus our eyes on what we think is important instead of what God is calling us to view. If you’ve ever looked through a telescope you can verify that it can be difficult to magnify exactly what you’re looking for. You step back from the telescope, look for the specific area, point your telescope in that general direction, and hope you were close! 

As followers of Jesus we are always looking for where God is directing us. We think we know the general area but are never certain of the exact location. I believe that sometimes we can overlook the places God is wanting us to focus on. We can overlook because of neglect. We can have a heart that refuses to focus on the view The Lord gives us because we don’t think it looks as good as another view. We can also overlook because we’re impatient. We can have a heart that is so caught up in wanting things now, fast, and easy that we don’t give them the time they need to mature.

Focus: Today spend some time praying for a telescope focus. Forget about the things that you think are an obligation and let The Lord redirect your eyes to focus on His plan. Just like there is a difference in seeing a general area and engaging your eyes on a pin point location, there is a difference between being present and being engaged. Today, refuse to just be present and choose to become fully engaged. Whether it’s a conversation with a coworker, playtime with your kids, or even quiet time spent alone with The Lord, choose to engage in those moments with telescope focus, softened hearts, and open minds.