“You should have a focus in life“. This is a common statement we hear, especially it’s something we say to Children, Teens & Young Adults. What does the bible say about “Focus in life”?
In I Corinthians 9:24 Apostle Paul writes that In a race everyone runs; one wins. He urges us to Run to win. He adds that the worldly race are for crown that doesn’t last, but we Christians run “to get a crown that will last forever“.
So it’s pretty clear that We should run for the golden crown that’s eternal.
Life situations vary and we do have various aspects to take care. We do have our family, our career, our society, our Church, our friends & relatives and so on…so how do we have the focus on the eternal golden crown with all these aspects to take care as well.
Paul comes to rescue here as well, I Timothy chapter 3:1-13 deals with selecting leaders & deacons for ministry. This passage in a way brings out the priority of focus for a Christian. The passage draws out an order of priority – God first, followed by a Godly life (v2&3), Taking care & Managing the family (v4), Having a good reputation in the society (v7). Paul mentions these as pre-conditions to do God’s work (ministry).
This passage helps us to have a clear understanding of our Priorities – God-Godly life-Family-Society-Ministry. It distinguishes God’s work & Godly living (Christian Living). Focusing on God & Godly living comes first for a Christian. It has to come in anything that we do. Managing the family, which in-away includes our work/College/School situations as well comes next. We have to have adequate priority here and we are called to excel here. Yes we are called “Win the Race” here as well. This is where we spend a lot of our time and we can reflect God & Godly living here.
This passage in Timothy outlines that an “excellent standing & great assurance of Faith in Christ Jesus” becomes a pre-condition to take up God’s work. In other words, My Godly living & my time for Family cannot be compromised for God’s work.
As we remain focused in Christian living and persevere in our race for the eternal golden crown, God enables us to do His work to accomplish His purpose. Hebrews 12:1b,2a reads like this “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith“
So what is this “Race Marked out for us“? It is God focused Godly living with complete Faith in Jesus Christ.
I can define My race for Godly living is Faithful to my savior my Father God, a loving Husband, a good father to my son & daughter, In church a good Sunday school teacher and mentor to the teens, True to my profession & Integrity at work….and so on..
“What is the race marked out for you?”
PS: Based on today’s devotion for Youth & Teens at CSI St. Marks Church