For a short period of time my wife worked two-part time jobs, I had three-part time jobs, and God had blessed us with a toddler in our lives. Due to COVID we weren’t able to place our son in daycare, so we took turns sleeping, working, and watching our son. There were lots of “Hi” then a quick “Bye.” Life was hectic. It became difficult for us to carve out time to spend together as a family.
While my family was especially busy during that time, life is always busy. It’s easy to get caught up in our everyday life and forget to focus on our Savior Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews reminds us to focus on Christ:
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NASB).[1]
Here are a few practical ways we can run the race and fix our eyes on Jesus.
Read his Word. Let’s read his Word every day. Not read a devotional, or listen to a sermon, or read books about the Bible, but read God’s Word directly. It can be as simple as reading one paragraph a day or one chapter a day from the Bible. It helps to use highlighters and colored pens to note what stands out to you, what it means, and how to apply it.
Gather with his people. Let’s find a way to attend a church service no matter how big or small it might be. Make it a priority to gather with Christ’s people because as Paul said, “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). So when we gather with Christ’s people we are gathering with Christ. When we spend time with other believers we are spending time with Him. In addition to being in a church service on Sundays we can join a small group during the week. That gives us more time to enjoy fellowship with other believers with discussion, studying his Word, and praying for each other.
Serve in his church. Another way to focus on Christ is to serve in his church. Because we are all one body (1 Corinthians 12) we all play a part in serving his church. It could be helping with kids in nursery, passing the offering plate, moving chairs for the church services, mowing the church lawn each week, or cleaning the church.
As we go about our busy lives let’s focus on Christ by reading his Word, gathering with his People, and serving in his church.
[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.