WHERE'S THE FOCUS?

Focusing with a camera’s lens takes skill, practice, and determination. Without that, we sometimes end up with blurry, crooked, or misrepresented images. Focusing on Jesus also takes skill, practice, and determination. Only through daily Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship, can we prevent our images of Him from being blurry, crooked, or misrepresented. A clear image of Him will draw other viewers.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Determination

My son, a commercial fisherman, spends his winters trapping in the northern interior of his adopted state of Alaska. He occasionally traps an elusive wolverine, valued highly for its thick, warm fur. Far northern natives line their parkas with it because it inhibits the formation of frost, thereby keeping their heads dry.

Wolverines have voracious appetites and are so cunning, they can steal bait from traps without setting them off. They’re even known to hide or destroy traps. Every northern trapper’s dream is to successfully trap one of these animals.

Weighing only thirty-five pounds, this largest member of the weasel family can kill a deer, moose, or bear. One is reported to have killed a grizzly while suffering nearly-fatal wounds from the bear. A wolverine has the reputation for being the fiercest mammal in North America.

Can believers in Christ be as determined and single-minded in their love and obedience to Him as the wolverine’s fierce desire to survive? The Old Testament tells a story about an unnamed prophet who bravely stood up for God’s principles against an entire nation. Because God had told him not to accept food or water from anyone, he turned down the king’s invitation for a meal, hungry as he was from fasting. Leaving the city, he met a man who claimed to be a prophet and invited him to share a meal. The unnamed prophet at first turned down this invitation also, but his hunger, thirst, and loneliness distracted him to disobey God’s command, resulting in his death.

Distractions face us every day. As followers of Christ, we need to be aware of the single-minded mission facing us—that of loving God above all else and our neighbor as ourselves. Such a commandment requires a wolverine’s kind of strong determination.

Like most predators that are single-minded in their effort to survive, mature Christians can be determined in their efforts to serve God. By the strength of His Word and Spirit, we can avoid distractions. Without His Word, we cannot complete the tasks He gives us. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Lord, help us to be as determined as the wolverine in our desire to follow You. Keep us free from distractions as we continually pray and study Your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.