Far-Sighted

Far-Sighted

“Turn my eyes from worthless things.” Psalm 119:37 NIV

I wear corrective lenses and have for more than two decades. When we find out we need lenses we usually hear a term like “near-sighted” or “far-sighted” to denote if we can see well close up or far away. Some people need regular glasses, bifocals or trifocals.  I suppose some might view this as a “defect” of vision. I know if I am not wearing my lenses I will be defective to anyone in my presence, especially if I am driving!

As far as our spiritual life goes, corrective “lenses” are necessary for everyone. We all need to have our spiritual eyes on as we walk through life. We need to be “far-sighted” with eternity in focus. Whatever is not of God and his will for our lives is going to be lumped under the “worthless” category.  This boils down to choice. Will we choose to put on our corrective lenses and focus on the eternal, or will we get lazy, not use our lenses and get caught up in what is not worthwhile? If we are not careful it can happen many times throughout the day.

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! The then Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.” Amos 5:14

“Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and seek to maintain it.” 1 Peter 3:11

“Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and seek to maintain it.” Psalm 34:14 (Yes, these verses in Old and New Testament are exactly the same!)

If we stay on our natural course, it will lead to evil. We must turn. Turn to God; turn to his word and our relationship and fellowship with him. This is the beginning of doing authentic “good”. Without our relationship with Jesus, any “good” is merely counterfeit and worthless. He alone is what makes a thing good and truly priceless. He alone sees the heart and the motives behind the good deed.  We can be hopelessly turned from God and still be doing “good”, but this type of good has no eternal value, it will be burned up as nothing.

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

No amount of good will measure up in eternity when done apart from Jesus. Anything of lasting value and worth can only be accomplished through him. If we are truly Christ followers we must remain in fellowship with Jesus to keep our eyes on eternity. This is how we make every moment count for something. Is your life consumed with the temporary or eternal? Are you fixated on what can make you feel better now, or what will stand the test of fire when standing before Christ? Which lenses are you wearing; near-sighted or far-sighted?

How can we know what lasts for eternity? God says he cares about our hearts, and our secret motives. Anything done to the glory of God is something that will last for eternity. Sincere worship, service, acts of love and even scrubbing toilets! If it is done for God’s glory and obedience to him with an honest heart, it matters for eternity! These are the things precious eternal gems are made of; the type of gems and crowns we can lay down at his feet as an offering of gratitude for what he sacrificed for us! I know when I see Jesus, I don’t want to hand him a pile of rubble! I want to give him my all now, so I will not be ashamed on that day when I see him face to face! I want to be far-sighted every day with eternity in focus.

“It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Plant the good seeds of righteousness and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

“Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” Luke 12:31

“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly.” Zephaniah 2:3

It’s time to dust off those far-sighted lenses and put them on! Or maybe you’ve never had them on? Ask God to give your heart an eternal focus every day in all you do. These are the people who are impacting lives and making a difference for eternity.

What have you done that will last for an eternity today? This “doing” starts with a sincere heart for God and his word.

Prayer

Thank you for being a holy and just God that looks at the heart rather than the outward appearance. Keep my heart pure before you; may all I do be out of sincere love for you. If I have been focused on worthless things, change my vision. Give me lenses to see what matters for eternity so that I can make the most of the time you have given me! Every day is a gift and I want to use it to glorify you. You alone deserve the praise and glory; there is none like you, Lord!

Bent

Bent

“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward worthless gain.” Psalm 119:36 NIV

Selfish; we are naturally selfish creatures, and apart from the Spirit of God we cannot fix it. Just take note the next time something is being discussed in a church meeting. How many people have complaints against “change” because of how it will affect them personally? Whatever happened to wanting what is best for the body of Christ, rather than what is best for us?

How about worship? How many times are there complaints over types of music, what people are wearing, or how the preacher is preaching? When did church turn into this self-pleasing ritual? I go to church to get something out of it, I do it for me. What? I’m sorry, but I have yet to find in the Bible where we are told church is designed to please us.

Are there benefits from fellowship? Absolutely! We will undoubtedly be blessed by communing with our brothers and sisters, we will be built up (or should be) and edified and mature in our faith. Yes, church has its benefits for us, but that is not the reason for church. The body of Christ is a place of communal worship to Jesus, a place that exists wherever two or more are gathered together in His name to bring glory to God. Church is the body of Christ, and by church I mean the people.

It’s so easy, and so tempting to be wrapped up in what the “church” can do for me, how I can feel good after I’ve heard the message or sung the songs, but if that is our motive for going to a building called “church” every Sunday, then we need a heart check.

How is your heart bent? Is it bent towards how you can be pleased or how you can be of service to others? What is the reason you go to church? Are you offended when something is changed that doesn’t suit your style or preference? Are you easily distracted by what others are doing rather than on your own heart of worship?

This is what comes natural for us apart from Christ! Apart from Him and his word we are hopelessly self-centered! I think we could all use a heart check in this area. When your heart is bent towards self, your whole life will follow that direction. Everything will turn in to a story about you, and how everything is affecting you. It is so easy to lose sight of others and put self on the front burner. It’s a heart sickness. We can even be serving others with a wrong heart. If we are serving to get praise, recognition, or pleasing people, then we are misusing the gift of service for self.

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.” Romans 7:18

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” Colossians 3:5

How do we put “self” to death? We do as the Psalmist did, and ask God to turn our hearts from self! We cannot do it apart from Christ; without the Spirit of God we are bent towards selfish worthlessness. To build up character that edifies, serves, and loves unconditionally we must seek to walk in the Spirit, and abide in Jesus. (John 15:4) We do this by spending time in his word. Hearing the word, receiving the word, loving the word and obeying it! As we submit our selfish will to Him, he will bend our hearts in a new direction, up! It is something we must daily commit to him, or we will slowly find ourselves being bent towards worthless gain again and again.

Prayer

I confess my selfishness to you, Lord. I have been guilty of seeking to be satisfied more than seeking to serve. I ask you to bend my heart towards your word and your ways, and away from worthlessness. The next time I step in to the building of “church”; show me how to have a servant’s heart rather than a prideful self-serving heart. Give me opportunities to edify and build up those around me, and let me be willing to be used in any capacity for your glory. Any service done for you is worthwhile, whether hundreds of people see it or not. Thank you for forgiving me, and cleansing my heart. I seek to glorify you in all I do over and above all human recognition; may this always be the purpose of my heart.