Focus on Jesus

Today’s major news stories include:  U. S. election; worldwide pan­demic; Supreme Court; race-related tensions; social unrest; terrorism in France; global economy; Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict; ideological polarization; oppression of Uighurs in China; refugee migrations; religious persecution; opioid crisis; Syrian civil war; unemployment…

All of these, and many more, greatly affect human lives:  safety, health, and basic well-being rise and fall with these developments.  But beware of viewing life through such glasses.  While all of the above topics are profoundly important, we’re not seeing them rightly unless they, and all current issues, are viewed against the glorious backdrop of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and in light of eternity.

SO much “news” in our day is taken up with things that don’t last—temporal needs and gains and fears and hopes.  And, of course, this is understandable—we all care about health, safety, and earthly thriving.  But worldly fixtures fade; empires rise and fall; people come and go.  Even a long life is momentary compared to eternity.  So let’s make sure we’re seeing reality through gospel lenses.  God put “eternity in our hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11); people are made for forever.  Eternal life is the crowning gift of saving grace. Let’s keep it front and center.

So when breaking news screams for your attention, and when social media threads engrossed in here-and-now controversies bombard you, step back and look up—look into the face of Christ.  And remember that Jesus is the ultimate fork in the road:  those who hear his words but reject him are on the road to eternal destruction, while those who hear and trust and follow him are on the path of eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14, 24-27).  Let Jesus have your heart, and let the awesome realities of eternity hold center stage in your attention.

Many voices in our day cry out to us, “Listen to me!”  Listen to this news outlet or that media source, listen to this politician or that author or this celebrity or that expert.  But how much better to obey the command of God, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” (Mark 9:7).  Listen to Jesus!  Fix your attention on God’s Word.  Let the truth of the gospel and the hope of heaven fill your heart and then fuel your witness in every sphere where the Father leads you today!