Where Do Your Eyes Turn When You are in Need of a Hero?
Good Morning Friends,
Who is your hero? Many look up to sports stars and athletes, and others look up to musicians and movie stars. Some even look up to teachers. At the High School where my wife works the school’s eagle mascot is now being branded as caped crusader. Heroes do things most of us cannot do. But God’s heroes were rarely men and women of extraordinary ability or talent. They were men and women of extraordinary faith. The two types of heroes do however have something in common with each other and those whose gaze is fixed upon them….it is a matter of focus. Where Do Your Eyes Turn When You are in Need of a Hero?
Scripture: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 (NRSV)
Message: Focus makes all the difference. It allows us to see. But what we focus on also is so important. When we are driving focusing on the road ahead is so important. Distractions can kill us. The Bible gives us similar instructions. There are risks and rewards on the journey of life. But it always requires faith and courage to take the next step. Here we discover that faith is not a commodity to be gained, but a life to be demonstrated. Here we realize that it is all too easy to fall short of being a Christian hero. Maybe it is because we view heroes in the wrong way. Maybe our last choice is God’s first choice. Some heroes are fallen and some are flawed but God looks for a faithful one and we should too. Here a focus on Jesus appears risky but a focus on ourselves is actually riskier. If we are to stretch ourselves we need to have perseverance that is fueled by a focus on something greater than ourselves. The test is not just our love of God but our love for others. That is a focused faith that produces fruit.
Pray we focus on Jesus. Pray we hear the word of God. Pray we are committed to God’s will. Pray that Jesus perfects our faith. Pray we are sincere in doing our duty. Pray we conquer our will and submit to God’s. Pray we realize that there is nothing to fear but sin and nothing to desire but God. Pray we be focused with devotion to God’s work. Pray we walk on the legs of faith and works. Pray we hang on focused on Jesus who knows when we need to take the next step. Pray that Jesus rescues us so that we might have more opportunities to grow. Pray we take the next step in faith not fear. Pray we remember that the great heroes of Scripture were flawed until God finished His work in their lives. Pray we exhibit the heroic and courageous act of facing the reality of life’s situations. Pray that our heroes…pray that we… have a focus on God. Pray we learn the art of being a hero. Pray we too become one of God’s heroes of faith.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 