Day 12 – Focus on Focus
DAY 12 – FOCUS ON FOCUS
It’s easy to miss the miracle of God’s provision because we’re too focused on what’s right in front of us.
He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
OUR DEVOTIONAL
If you have had people gathered for any length of time for any reason, one question comes up. What do we feed these people? It’s the same question you may ask yourself every night for family dinner. Regardless of the circumstances, humans need energy (life sustainment) to keep moving. Jesus saw a crowd of people and, “He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (verse 14) Jesus saw people who had spiritual needs, but the disciples saw people with physical needs. After a long day of ministry, all the disciples saw was people who needed to eat. Is that wrong? No, but what was the focus?
Focus is very important because it is what drives us. If your focus is off, then so are you! I bought a new pair of glasses last year, and yes they are bifocals. Then something happened, they started to lose their focus! I couldn’t see the details as much and reading was exhausting. But we all know it wasn’t my glasses. It just stinks getting older. A new pair of glasses and a new focus later, and it’s a new world. The disciples needed to move their focus from logistics to the releasing of the miracles of Jesus.
To receive the miracles of Jesus, we need to be able to focus and see the miracles. A burning bush might get your attention better, but the daily provisions from the Lord are miracles in and of themselves. We want a lot – better houses, cars, electronics, toys and list goes on – but our focus needs to be on our provider rather than the provisions. I’ve seen people who have very little. They are the happiest people I know because they are living for our savior who provides for them. Focus helps us to see what Jesus is doing in our lives. We need to pause and look around to see what He is doing, not what He is providing. If we focus on what He is doing, then we see how He is providing life sustainment for us to keep living in His miracles of provision.
FAMILY MOMENT
Next time you’re at the dinner table, ask, “Where did this food come from?” The refrigerator only stores it. The store only stocks it. The rancher or farmer only raises or grows it. But if we talk about the food chain, it tells the story of how God has provided that meal for you at that moment and how He cares so much He gives you life sustainment for the day.
I can’t promise you’ll have 12 baskets of left overs, but you could have the focus to see His miracles in your everyday life.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
- Ask Jesus to show you how to focus on him and His miracles in your daily life.
- Jot down a few things you can see that He provides and think how that provision impacts your life and others.
But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteous, and all these things shall be added to you.