Whose Eyes Are You Looking Through?

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

This past Sunday at church, our sermon was on "Entering A New Year." Our pastor challenged us to Live for Eternity & Live with Passion. Somewhere near the beginning of the service there was something he said that triggered the title of this post. I spent some time reflecting on it and thought it was a great way to begin this year....it is a question that we should all ask ourselves. It is a question that can change our focus and perspective for 2010. As far as I can determine there are really two answers to this question that really impact us.

Me Focus~if we are looking through our own eyes we tend to see things as we want to see them. Our perspective is often self-centered and at best, clouded. We tend to look at things as how they would benefit or affect us. We tend to think how our actions will reflect on us. The more I think about this the more I realize that this is one of Satan's best tactics. We feel as if we are the rulers of our world and everything we say or do is more important than anyone else's. This is a trap that we too often fall into. Even as Christians this is very easy to do. We serve on committees, we do good works, we go on mission trips....and often we do it for the wrong reasons. I am currently reading a book on missions called "When Helping Hurts." One interesting thing came up and that was the thought that often we go on trips with the idea of bringing Christ to others. We will go with the "message of salvation." Not that this is wrong...rather it is misguided. Christ is already there. We are not bringing Christ to them..he is there. It is just our job to shine the light. This is the same with the Me Focus. We tend to put our views and thoughts in the forefront.

Christ Focus~this is the opposite of the Me Focus. It is looking at things as God does. It is putting others first and really putting ourselves last. It is about not caring how others see us, how many possessions we have, or what we will gain from our actions. It is a matter of being in the word and truly understanding that what is important is the approval of God. I am sure we all remember that popular saying WWJD? What Would Jesus Do....so simple and yet it is the cornerstone of being Christ-Focused. If we would just step back before we speak or make a decision and really ask that question then we could truly be Christ-Focused. In reflecting on this and really thinking about it you then would realize the freedom it would give you. You don't have to worry about what others think or if your motives are pure. If you are living with a Christ Focus, then you know that all that matters is eternity and God's approval.

My prayer for this year is first that I remember this and live it. Secondly I pray that you take some time and think about what I have said....may you try to live it out this year and Make a Difference in your lives and others.

Comments

[Deb Watson]

Excellent post! Very thought provoking. Thank you for sharing.

[Bridget Chumbley]

Great post... thanks for stirring up my brain!