Hebrews 12:2, Romans 4:19, Isaiah 53:5

Deborah Mitchell considers the importance of keeping our eyes on God and not our circumstances.

Deborah Mitchell
Deborah Mitchell

I am off to Disney with my family and friends in a few weeks. I am super excited. It is definitely one of my heart's desires being answered.

In the meantime I have a women's conference and the launch of our new building. The women's conference theme is 'Focus', but I am struggling to focus on the focus conference! I have to pull my mind back from what I am going to pack...what parks we will go to......and all the rest that goes in to a holiday. I am trying to keep my mind off a sun bed and keep first things first!

Hebrews 12:2 says: "Look away from all that would distract and focus our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith.

There are so many distractions in our busy lives, with responsibilities that we have to deal with. My son in law and daughter have just had a baby. Their world has been turned upside down. They can't get over how something so small can demand so much attention. All of us with family can reassure them that it won't change much, it will only increase the more children they have. Then once they grow up and marry, they will go forth and multiply and come back for babysitters.

So many things can crowd in and demand our attention like our health, money and relationships. These things can take our focus off the main thing, which of course is Jesus, the author of our faith. We need to become God conscious and not compartmentalise Jesus. Sometimes we attend to all our responsibilities and Jesus is at the bottom of our to-do list. We need to consciously put Jesus first as our highest necessity. I am so aware that if I had not kept my focus on Jesus, my life would be a different story today.

Years ago, when the children were young and dependant on me, I was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. I was completely shocked. I had been losing my balance. I just thought it would be an ear infection or something simple. After extensive tests, the news was not good. I was told that after each episode there would be further damage.

The story of Abraham inspired me in Romans 4:19. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. Abraham considered the facts - his body as well as Sarah's was as good as dead as far as children were concerned. Nevertheless, he believed in God and his reward was a son.

Jesus promised us that by His wounds we are healed Isaiah 53:5. I am walking in perfect health today. Facts are facts, but God's word is higher. It is truth. We keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, because He is the word.

Like the woman with the issue of blood, we can get distracted. She spent all her money trying to get healed and had 12 miserable years being rejected by her community, who considered her unclean. Weak but determined, she changed her focus to Jesus. She pushed past the crowds that surrounded Him and touched the hem of His garment. She was healed.

Do you have any issues today? Are they distracting you? Why not look away to the author and perfecter of your faith? CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.