ReFocus

Having been in several airports recently, I’ve made it a point to become a ‘people watcher.’ People come in all different shapes and sizes. Some smile at you, while others have an ‘air’ about them, making you feel that you are lucky to be breathing the same air they are. I have seen celebrities, politicians, and others walking by looking as though they truly believed just how important they were.

It is so completely evident in our society today that being a person of importance has its advantages. Flying first-class, private limo service, and five-star hotels are the norm. The adoration of envious individuals is like food to many of their souls, because they know that others are looking at them wishing they had ‘it’ also.

(Broken Path)
(Forest Hill, MD)

I’m in no way saying that having these things are wrong or even bad, but observing this behavior has caused me to wonder if we’ve become so consumed with the applause of man that we’ve stopped living for the audience of One.

(Cliff)
(Forest Hill, MD)

There is nothing wrong with caring what others think. As a matter of fact, caring what others think helps us many times to be willing to put others before ourselves. But many have been overtaken with the thoughts that ‘if I had this, if I looked like that, then others would adore me’.

Seeking men’s applause causes us to put on a show of our human gifts. While our flesh is pleased, the inward spiritual man’s voice is never heard. While he is crying out for more surrender, sacrifice, and unselfishness…our flesh is leading the way, telling us that God’s way requires too much for us to give up. 

Instead of a life carrying our cross, following Christ, and seeking the applause of heaven…many have been caught up in the temporal applause of man. May Christ re-focus our eyes upon what He gives us life for. We must never lose sight of our purpose and His plan for it.

Humility will push you into seeking after heaven’s thunderous applause. Pride and arrogance might just get you ‘liked’ by many…but heaven will be silent. Where are your stored treasures being laid to rest? Who’s cheering for you?

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

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