Bifocals
Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:1-4
Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I started wearing glasses when I was ten years old. My shortsightedness (myopia) continued to increase gradually and then stopped. By the time I reached fifty, I developed hyperopia (farsightedness) and had to use bifocal eyeglasses, with the top portion for distant viewing and the bottom section for close reading. I need both to carry on my normal daily life.
Some of you may have 20/20 vision, but all of us need a bifocal view in our everyday living. In Hebrews, the Old Testament heroes of faith are described as living by faith on earth while setting their eyes on a better place with God in heaven (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Like the saints of old, we need two perspectives, and we ought to prioritize them. Paul urges us, “Since . . . you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Do you feel things are causing you to lose focus or to mix up your perspectives? Are you preoccupied with your work, or school, or something else that draws or demands your attention? Ask God to help you refocus and reset your priorities, so that you can “seek first his kingdom” in all that you do (Matthew 6:33).
Father, help me to navigate faithfully through life on earth while focusing on heaven. Help me to seek your will, following your way in all I do. In Christ’s name, Amen.
About the author — Jimmy Tai-On Lin
Rev. Jimmy Lin is the Chinese ministry leader of The Back to God Hour. With his staff in Palos Heights and Hong Kong, Rev. Lin has ministered to over 1.3 billion Chinese-speaking people around the world for 16 years through radio, literature, CD/DVD, Internet, and text message. His wife, Doris, is one of the translators of Today into the Chinese language, which now has a circulation of more than 45,000 copies.
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