FOCUS

We're all familiar with this crazy illness that's been going around. We're wearing the evidence of that on our faces today, aren't we? But there is another pretty serious illness that's out there, a disorder, that sometimes goes unrecognized. Maybe like COVID, it's an asymptomatic kind of a thing. And it shows itself in unusual kinds of ways. An obsession with your phone, or texting, or social media is one symptom. A deficiency in concentration, having a difficult time, staying attentive. When it comes to decision-making, choosing what's easy, what's non-threatening, what's comfortable. Even includes the symptoms of discouragement. Discouragement over past mistakes, discouragement over what's happening right now, and anxiety of what could happen. Perhaps over wasted opportunities or lost time.

Another symptom can be allowing every little thing to take priority over what's most important. Time management can even include self-image, an unhealthy view of who you are. Either I can justify everything I've ever done, or the other extreme, I'm guilty about everything. And of course, that can lead to doubts. Doubts that you wonder, is God really with me? Is God really leading me? How can I possibly accomplish what God wants for me? And that discouragement can certainly be all around us.

So what is this sickness, this malady? Well, I've given it a name of DD. Distraction disorder. Distraction disorder. It is definitely a wasting disease. And if it goes unchecked, we can waste the potential that God has in mind for each of us. I mean, we live in that kind of a world, don't we? I mean, the whole world right now seems to be focused on what's going on in Washington, DC, and how are things going to transpire, and what's going to happen.

And we can become so focused even on that, and it can distract us from what is really most critical. I mean, this distraction disease, I guess you could also call it a disillusioned disease sometimes, that preoccupies our time. And I was reminded of that with Newsmax. All news all the time. Boy, it seems like the world's that way already. What do you mean? You're going to cancel the program and have even more of the same stuff that gets us so preoccupied. And so then the question is, how can I then have a couple of different Ds?

Instead of a distraction disorder, how can I be disciplined and dedicated? Because that's really the godly alternative. And the interesting thing about this DD disease is that you can have a mild form, and maybe like COVID, you could have a very serious form of this disease. It's interesting that we find the beginnings of a solution found over in Hebrews chapter 2. If you'd like to turn there with me, Hebrews chapter 2 verse 1 could be the theme scripture for the day.

It kind of summarizes a couple of points I'd like to make during the sermon. Hebrews chapter 2 verse 1 is a familiar section of scripture where, most likely, the apostle Paul is writing to God's people, and in a sense, writing about this disease of distraction disorder. And as he talks to God's people, he gives them direction by God's inspiration on how we can begin to overcome, and be more dedicated in this crazy world that we live in.

So in Hebrews chapter 1, notice the direction that he gives. He says, therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things that we've heard, lest we drift away. Which, of course, is saying a couple of things, isn't it? He's saying it is possible to get off track. It's possible to get disoriented. It's possible to get distracted and disillusioned in this world that we live in. But if we're going to avoid DD, then we better listen up, he says. That more earnest heed really is getting down to the point. We have to be careful and be more diligent.

Or, in other words, listen up to God and pay closer attention. So it's not just a casual kind of reference to God. No, you better put everything you've got into paying attention to God. Because he's really the one that gives us every possible resource that we need in order to live a life that's pleasing to him.

So he says, pay closer attention, which is something that's good for all of us. No matter where we're at on this scale, is it possible to step it up and be even more diligent in our calling? Because what really we're told here is it's good news that there is a cure for this distraction disease, for the challenges that we face when we're so overwhelmed with everything that's going on around us. And in a sense, those couple of words describe what it is. Give the more earnest heed.

Pay closer attention. Or in other words, focus. Focus. And so I've organized the sermon by that acronym, focus. How focused are we on living God's way? Are we a living, breathing example of a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not just once in a while, not just sometimes, not just Saturdays, but all the time. All the time. Now if you think of this word focus, first letter is F.

And I assigned it the words follow through. Follow through. Now I know most of us here in the room have probably thrown a baseball before. Anybody ever throw a baseball? Okay, ever swing a bat? Any golfers?

Okay, we got a couple of golfers. Maybe throw a football. There's one common skill. Oh, shoot a basket. That's another one. Shoot a basket. All right, one common skill to every one of those things. Follow through. Follow through.

The ball's not going to go anywhere if you just release it, right? If you stop swinging that bat when it meets the ball, it's not going to take off and go over the fence. There's no way. You've got to have that follow through. If you're throwing that ball, your arm has to have a continuous motion after you release the ball. Otherwise, it's just going to fizzle out. And I think there's a spiritual connection to that very concept. In fact, God talks about it over in Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes chapter 7 verse 8. Ecclesiastes 7 verse 8. Now, you might think I'm turning to that scripture that says, whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your mic. Nope, that's not it.

We could have went there. We do have to follow through. We've got to keep our focus by what we began to continue doing. And that's what Ecclesiastes 7 verse 8 is really about. And I love the way that God inspired this to be recorded for us today. Notice the way that Ecclesiastes puts this. Chapter 7 verse 8. It says, the end of a thing is better than the beginning. And boy, we can't wait for the end of COVID. Can't wait for that. That'll be a great thing.

But then it also says, the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. In other words, God's telling us finishing is better than starting. Finishing is better. Patience is better than pride. God's more interested then in the result. What's the result?

You know, if I'm a golfer, oh, I've got this great backswing. Little boy, I just do it perfectly.

But if when I meet the ball, I stop swinging, there's no way it's going to go straight down the fairway. It's not going to happen. And so what we recognize, if I don't follow through with that shot in basketball, if I don't finish swinging that bat, what happens to the trajectory of that ball?

What happens to it? It's going to go a direction we don't want. And so follow through definitely affects the outcome. And so God's reminding us. He's reminding us, keep going.

Follow through. That completed motion is what really is so critical, and it's got to continue.

And in fact, you've got to visualize that. You've got to have that, sometimes they'll call it muscle memory, that that's just automatic. And so this arc of the ball as it leaves our hand toward that hoop, we've got to envision that thing sinking right through there as we follow through all the way. Or if we're playing tennis, that racket has to follow through. And we've got to envision that movement and that motion until the whole process is concluded all the way through the end.

And how many examples in the Bible bear that out? That the end is so much better than the beginning. Follow through is so critical. I mean, probably one of the first examples in the Bible, one that we're all very familiar with. Everybody knows about Israel leaving Egypt.

We have this horrible, dominating, satanic figure of Pharaoh, and that representation of Egypt and sin, and Israel has to get out of sin. You know, as they get out, were they off to a good start or not?

I mean, it was awesome! An amazing beginning. You probably can remember some of the speeches that Moses gave as he was encouraging them, and they were striking that ball, and that start was on.

And of course, I think of those words, you know, Moses reads God's commandments, and what did the people say? All that the Lord has commanded, we will do! And the people said, amen! Yes, absolutely, no doubt! So as they started out, I mean, they just shouted their proclamation and their intention to follow God's way, no matter what. But of course, think about their follow-through.

Think about their final report card, you might say. I mean, when you read the New Testament reflecting back, God was not happy with them. He wasn't happy with them at all. In fact, in the book of Hebrews, it tells us they always went astray in their heart. And yet, they said, oh, we're going to do everything God says. And the ultimate end for them was that those original people that left Egypt didn't enter the Promised Land. And so I think it just tells that amazing story that not only that you have to have a good beginning, but that follow-through is so important. And it really begins with a commitment and a will. A will to carry on that action all the way to the completion.

And of course, in our case, we started with God's calling. And now we have to follow through all the way to the Kingdom, or until our life is over, to its ultimate completion. That's the goal. That is our goal that God's called us to. And that's ultimately going to lead to the reward when we set our will and our commitment that no matter what, we are going to continue and follow through.

No matter if COVID gets in the way, no matter if I'm furloughed from my job, no matter what the circumstances, whether I'm sick or whether I'm healthy, whether I'm prosperous or whether I'm in need, none of that is going to change our will and our commitment. And so every year we remind ourselves about this by following God's commands. Passover is that yearly reminder to stay focused, that yearly reminder to stay on task, to continue that will and that commitment to do what's right.

Because after all, the other side of the coin is pretty scary. They didn't enter his rest. In fact, even in the New Testament, in the book of Luke, we're told no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. So that says, keep your blinders on and head toward the kingdom no matter what. No matter what. Don't take your eye off the ball. Any of us at the blatant Little League had that drilled into our heads over and over and over again. And the point being that even after 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, if we look back and maybe sometimes feel disappointed and, wow, I should have progressed a whole lot more spiritually than I am, well, that could throw us off. That could get us discouraged. That could bring us down and might even cause us to try to run away. And God is telling us in Ecclesiastes, He's saying, don't do that. Don't do that. And in fact, I don't want you to do that so much that I'm going to give you a helper so that you will follow through and you will have every opportunity to keep that will and that commitment, that desire to do what's right. And that extra component, He gives us His Spirit. He gives us His Holy Spirit. In fact, call the Comforter for those times we would be discouraged. But also the power of God. It's not a spirit of fear, right? Didn't Paul tell Timothy that? God didn't give us a spirit of fear to worry, well, what's going to happen to this world? What's going to happen with the new administration? What's going to happen with this terrible disease?

Well, that's not reflective of the Spirit. God's given us. He's given us a spirit of power and love and a sound mind that I don't have to think that way. And that's a personal choice.

And so if I allow God to continue to work in me, what does He promise?

He says, my Spirit will help you to follow through in the spiritual perspective.

In fact, Philippians chapter 1 is such a great reminder of that. Because from God's perspective, does He think, well, they're never going to make it. They are so caught up in everything around them. There's no hope for them.

I mean, is that reflective of what God envisions for us?

I mean, is that the kind of God we have that He can't wait for us to make a mistake so He can zap us with the bolt of lightning? I mean, sometimes we feel that way. And even that can cause us to get off track. But here in Philippians chapter 1, in verse 6, I think it's one of the most encouraging verses in the entire Bible. Because it really gets to the heart and core of how God views us and views our calling. And so in verse 6, He tells us to be confident of this thing. This is so true, we can take great confidence in this. What is it? Paul writes, Paul writes, He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

So God's perspective is He's going to finish this. He's going to follow through with our calling. He wants us in His family. He wants us in the kingdom. He sees us as His children right now already. And so, I mean, if you look back at verse 6, in the amplified version, it's so encouraging. It says, I'm convinced and sure that God who began that good work will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ, right up until His return, developing and perfecting and bringing that good work in you to full completion. That's God's perspective. So think of this idea of follow through. You see, we're playing baseball and we're on the All-Star Reds team. He envisions that bat following all the way through. And where's that ball going?

Right out of the park. Right out of the park. Right to the kingdom. God's already envisioned the end of that arc. The end of our life. Now, that's God's perspective. The challenge is, we still have a choice. That's what God's intent is. That's what His purpose is. That's what He wants. And He will do everything He can to make that happen. But He's not going to do it for us, is He? He's going to help us do it. And so we have to make those choices to be sure we follow through. Because it's possible to allow fearfulness. It's possible to allow anxiety. It's possible to allow DD, this distraction disorder, to hold us back. And so God says, don't modify my trajectory.

Right? Don't modify and adjust what I envision for you. And I suppose that's part of the good news, too. Well, let's say we did get off track. Maybe we didn't follow through the way we're supposed to. Maybe we have stumbled. I mean, that's the other part of this good news. I think what God's also telling us here, it's not too late. It's not too late to make a course correction. It's not too late to make an adjustment, get right back on course. Just as long as you finish, you complete it. Follow through. Maintain that all the way to the time we're face to face with Jesus Christ in the kingdom. And that's such an encouraging blessing that God wants for us.

And so with that, He also reminds us then, if it's going to happen, we've got to move to the next level as well. In our word focus, next letter is O.

And I think that fits with organizing our priorities. Putting our priorities in order, having the right order in our life, being organized in this way.

We're probably familiar with Proverbs 16, verse 2. It speaks to this very aspect of putting first things first. Making sure we organize our life by what is most important, the most important priority. And Proverbs 16, 2 reminds us of that. That sometimes in our own thinking, oh, we might think we've got things in order. In fact, Proverbs 16, 2 starts that way. It says, all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes. Well, what's that mean? Well, in other words, I think I'm pretty good. I can think I'm on course. I can think I've swung that bat pretty good. I think I could be a pretty spiritual person. I think it's all right. But is that from God's perspective? I mean, going on there, he says, the Lord weighs the spirits. You see, God sees the reality. And so then he says, verse 3, commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established. You see, so God's concerned about organizing our thinking, putting our thoughts into the right priority. You know, if we put our life into God's hands, our efforts, our actions, our follow through, he says, your plans are going to succeed. Right? He's going to help us to be successful in carrying them out. One translation of the Bible, international translation says, depend on the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed. So that's first things first. God's got to come first. And sometimes I think we... I mean, isn't it easy to lose sight of that sometimes? Because, wow, life is just crazy right now. I mean, what do you believe? We hear varying reports about this is truth. No, this is truth. And this is good. No, that's terrible. And the hustle and bustle of life, the challenges that we face on our jobs, if we've got children, all the activities that they may be involved in, you know, the car problems that we might be struggling with, those things can get in the way of just life itself and then trying to even make ends meet. What God tells us here is prioritize what really matters most.

Don't get preoccupied with things that really aren't significant. And sometimes that's just the way that it is. We human beings can get so distracted and we get off base and it can lead us in the direction we don't want to go. And so to keep reminding ourselves, see the big picture? Do you see the big pictures of God's call? It's not that we can ignore all the details. I'm not saying that. But if we put first things first, that will help us to see everything else so much clearer of how critical is this in my life? How important is that? Is this so important that I put God on the back burner? You see, that's the kind of thing we've got to make sure. Do I really see the big picture as I've organized what really is most important in my priorities? I mean, we could have a little test to see if we really see the big picture. Okay, this is my own goofy version of a test. So you ready to take the test? Okay, here's the test. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on the earth?

It was still Mount Everest. It just hadn't been discovered yet, right?

Okay, here's the idea. Get the big picture.

What was our president's name in 1975?

That was Donald Trump. He was still called Donald Trump in 1970. Pretty soon it would be Joe Biden. Yeah, that was his name back then, and it still is. Okay, you get the idea? Do we see the big? We can get off with the distraction is what I'm trying to get at. The farmer has five haystacks in one field and four haystacks in the other field, and he takes them. And how many haystacks would he have if he combined them in another completely different field? No, he wouldn't have nine.

He combined them. So he has one, right? Okay, that's how silly it can be.

Somebody reminded me of another one I heard the other day. That was kind of cute, too.

Johnny's mother has three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May.

What's the third child's name?

No, it's not June! It's Johnny! Johnny's mother had three children, right? Silly. Silly, silly, silly, right?

Okay, what's the point? All right, the point is we can get so involved in the things and the sounds and the happenings around us. We miss the obvious. We miss the big picture. And so to step back and really examine what is my priority. And of course, we've got to keep the end goal in mind.

What we believe, Christianity, true Christianity, godly Christianity, it's not just the things that we believe. I mean, we have to believe the right things. Absolutely, no doubt about that.

But it's how we live. It's how we take those beliefs and put them into practice. And so, God's given us a way of life with a specific definite goal. And so, have we even written down the things that are most important to us, spiritually speaking? We could really begin to organize our priorities by doing just that. Of course, this time of the year, there's a lot of people out there that have their New Year's resolutions. I'm not talking about New Year's resolutions. But in a sense, you could begin to prioritize your life by saying, well, what do I want to do this year? What do I want to accomplish this year? And if we break that down, what do I want to do this month? From a godly perspective, not just a physically human perspective.

What do I want to do this week? Or what do I want to do tomorrow? What do I want to do tomorrow?

And I think what we begin to see is we can recognize God really wants to give us the kingdom.

And with that goal in mind, what does that look like for my dedication today? And plan for it. And plan for it. Now, that leads us to the third letter in the word focus. It's the letter C.

And we recognize this is a way of life. So I put down the word consistent.

Consistent. I consistently have to strive to live God's way. And so I've got a little sign in my office that says, consistency beats an occasional flash of brilliance every day. Yeah, consistency. It is so important. And when we think about our relationship with God, that means I've got to be consistent as I pray to God. That means I've got to be consistent when I study His word and have a plan to read the word of God. And I think an important principle is brought out in Luke chapter 9 verse 23. Luke chapter 9 verse 23. Certainly not a passage we haven't heard before. But when we see it in this perspective, I think it really rings true with this concept of focusing on the consistency of putting that way into practice. And notice what it says. We know this verse. Luke chapter 9 verse 23. Christ said, if a man will come after me, let him deny himself. Okay, put me first in your priorities. And then He says, take up his cross daily and follow me. And so this consistency is really what Christ is getting at. Not just once a week on the Sabbath, follow me. But He says, daily.

Daily. Face your challenges daily. And if we don't follow Christ daily, what will that swing look like? That spiritual arc is going to miss. It's going to fall short.

If we don't make it a daily habit, it becomes more doubtful that we're going to follow Him for very long. And so that idea of commitment and that idea of being willing to do whatever it takes to follow God becomes important, especially as we think about this idea of consistency. And maybe that means making that commitment. I'm going to commit myself to read God's Word every day. I'm going to read three chapters a day. Okay, I just pulled that out of my hat. Three chapters a day. Or maybe you'd say, I need to pray an hour every day.

That's pretty long. Well, consistency is the key if that's going to happen, right?

All right, well, what happens? Well, sometimes it's like, look, can't do three chapters today.

Well, can you read a couple of verses? I mean, sometimes do we find ourselves falling into that type of thinking? Well, I just don't have time to do that today. I know I was planning to do an hour of prayer, so I'll catch up tomorrow. I was going to read a chapter a day, but I don't have time today, so I'm going to... I'll try to do two chapters tomorrow.

Okay, maybe you can't do the three chapters today, but can you read a couple of verses?

Maybe you can't pray for an hour, but can we pray for a few minutes?

I mean, that lends itself to consistency. I mean, we don't want to do that all the time, but when we think of it that day and we make at least that commitment to be consistent no matter what, that means I'm going to take some time today, some time to communicate to God in prayer. I want to talk to God. I have to talk to God, and I have to listen, and I think what begins to happen then... well, maybe sometimes it's just like I don't feel like doing it.

Ever feel that way? I mean, we can get distracted from the Word of God, but as we commit ourselves and we actually make the time to do that, then it becomes a consistent habit. And one, I think, that we'll find that we will reap so many wonderful benefits from, because I think God loves the consistency in this relationship we have. And when we're consistent in speaking to God and listening to God, we're going to learn to love it more and more. It's just like a good friend. The more you talk to them, the more you get to know them, the more you listen to them, the closer you become. And I think then what begins to happen is that that reading and that talking turn into action. And then we organize and we're consistent in our priorities. And then we daily, we daily do these things. And God's giving us our days to do it day by day. And if we do it day by day, I mean, here's the best thing. If you think about it this way, I can't possibly accomplish that goal. I mean, that's going to take the rest of my life. It seems too overwhelming. But we break it down to day by day.

We give God today and we give God our next day and we consistently do that. What does God end up with?

I mean, He ends up with our whole life, our every day, our every day. And so when you think of this idea of consistency, be a day by day disciple. Be a day by day disciple of Christ. And when we do it that way, I think we'll have an amazing connection that that will be so difficult to break with God.

That brings us to the letter U in our word focus. Focus. I wrote down two things that kind of fit with this is using God's resources, which ties into understanding our calling, both the letter U. Use God's resources or understand your calling. Understand your calling. We are not isolationists in the church. We can't be. We can't be. That goes against what God's given us as a representation of what the church is all about. And in Romans chapter 12, we're reminded of our calling in the church as members of the body of Christ. Romans chapter 12 speaks to this very fact. So let's take a look at Romans chapter 12. We'll begin in verse 4, a familiar illustration that Paul likes to use. He uses it here in Romans chapter 12. He loves to use it in the book of Corinthians as well.

And so we see it in a number of Paul's writings that this comes out in. And so we can recognize and certainly be familiar with what he writes as we see what he refers to in Romans 12 verse 4.

1 Corinthians is where we can find it as well. He says, for we have many members in one body.

Yes, there's one church, one body. He says, but all the members don't have the same function.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that's given to us. So each of us have a part to play. If the body is going to function the way God intends, every one of us have to do our part, each and every one of us. And so we all can say, God's given us his grace and he's given us his gifts. And so Paul says, you better use them.

You better use them. Middle of verse 6 he says, if it's prophecy, let's prophesy in proportion to our faith. And that prophecy doesn't necessarily mean predicting the future. He's really getting to the heart of speaking in an inspired way. Can we inspire others? Can we encourage others? Can we comfort others? Absolutely. If that's a gift that God's given you, do it. Verse 7, if it's serving or ministry, let's use it in our serving.

It says, he who teaches, get to teaching then. He says, if it's an exhortation, then make sure you exhort. He who gives, give liberally. He who leads with diligence.

And so the list goes on and on, showing every one of us can contribute to the health of the church of God by contributing, by using the resources that God's given us. And he gives us these things by the power of his Spirit. And if we understand our calling, we recognize it's not just about me and my personal calling, not just about my salvation. It's about us together. It's about all of us. And each one of us can help the other. In fact, it's not only that we can do it, but God says we should do it. We should do it. And so we are like various parts of the body.

And I like the way that the message translation puts it. He talks about finding our meaning and our function in the body. But then the message goes on and says, as a chopped off finger or a cut off toe, we wouldn't amount to much. Yeah, I kind of like that kind of an illustration. No, do what we're made for. We're made to be a collective unit that's working properly.

And so I think that then requires each of us, if we're going to use the resources God's given us, if we're going to fulfill whatever gift God has given us and use it to serve people, if we really understand our calling, then that means I've got to ask myself, what is it that God's given me to do? What gift, any of these or many others, has God given that I need to be fulfilling? You know, what role or what job or what duty or what function? What purpose is God given me that He wants me to fulfill? You know, and if you really think about how does God want me to contribute to the growth of the church? Have you ever thought about it that way? What is my part in the growth of the church? Paul wrote a lot about that when we fulfill our function in Ephesians chapter 4. That's what he says. If we're doing the things we're supposed to be doing, it will bring about growth in the body. And I don't think that's only referring to, oh, we'll have a whole lot more people sitting here with us every week. I think that can happen. Sure, that could be a result. If I'm a living, breathing example of a Christ-like Christian in every day of my life, it will impact people around me. No doubt about that. Maybe because of that, they'll show up here one day. But I also think that growth means we all will grow spiritually.

We'll all be more of a representative of Jesus Christ. And so when we look at that, I think that's important to consider that. How can I best use my God-given gifts every day?

This is probably another one of those things. Maybe you want to sit down and actually write down the ways that you can contribute because it can certainly bring about the growth of the body as we all fulfill our function and our purpose. All right, that brings us to our last letter in the word focus. And it is the letter S. And I put down the word shine. Shine. Christ talked about us shining as a city on a hill, a whitewashed city that can't be hidden, that we're to be a light to the world. I'm not going to turn over to Matthew, but I will turn over to Philippians 2.

Philippians 2 chapter 13. I think it says it in a little bit different way than the way that Christ said it. He made that illustration really live about being that shining light of his way.

But when we were focused and we really shine, shine like a brilliant light in this dark world, as Paul wrote to the Philippians, I think he had that in mind. And in verse 13, notice how he keeps adding to this concept of living God's way and being a different kind of individual, offset from the world. Verse 13, he says, it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. Yep, that's where it all begins. It begins with our calling. And God has called us to his way and he gives us our directions. But notice what he says here. And how in the world does this fit in with shining? Well, verse 14, he says, do all things without complaining and disputing. I think my King James says, murmuring and complaining. He says, get rid of that. Verse 15, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I've not run in vain or labored in vain. Now, it is kind of interesting here because in this calling that we've been given, I mean, is it really that simple? Is it really that simple? I mean, we look at this and sometimes we think of putting God's way into practice. And we might think of, well, I need to do this and I need to do that. And, you know, I need to accomplish that. And if I really submit to God's Spirit, here's another thing I need to do. And we think of all the do's that we have to do.

But here, when Paul talks about shining his lights, he says, don't, don't.

What kind of world do we live in? Just turn on the news. We live in a world of negativity and whiners and complainers, don't we? And there's so much to complain and whine about. I agree. It's a mess. But he says, don't complain. Don't argue and dispute.

Wow. Our world has turned into a Jerry Springer show, hasn't it? We're bashing and throwing chairs all over the place in this world we live in today. I mean, isn't it true? I think this last week has kind of proven it all in that way. That the overriding tone in our world today is negativity. I mean, we live in a very negative culture and we complain and we argue about things. And all it does is bring out more division. And wow, you hear about the pessimism that's out there and oh, woe is me and all these types of things. And I think it just brings out one of those traits in human nature. That we have a tendency just to see the problems, just to see the difficulties and to be negative and pessimistic about most everything. But here Paul says, don't do those things. All right, maybe put the do's aside for a minute. Yeah, there's plenty of things you need to do.

But if we don't do these, I mean imagine if we just put these two things aside in our world today.

If everybody in the world just decided, we're not going to complain. We're not going to argue about anything today. Wow! I guess you'd turn on the news and they'd say, all right, here's the weather.

Now you can't complain about the weather either. Yeah, I think it would change everything, wouldn't it?

I mean, yeah, let's face it. Sometimes we do love to complain. I mean, I was at the grocery store the other day, standing in line, six feet behind the next person. And of course, there were 40 registers at the store and only one of them open. And probably, I don't know if I want to be too condemning. But let's say this individual who was doing the checking was not very efficient in doing that. And so trying to work through this person that was at the head of the line and this person that was directly in front of me wasn't quite up there yet. And he couldn't resist and say, can you believe this? This is ridiculous, isn't it? And I had to say, it's difficult, isn't it? Because I really wanted to say, yeah, I'm with you all the way, brother, because this is crazy. But try not to do that. That's hard to do. That's hard to do.

And sometimes I think it's maybe not that obvious. It's not that obvious. But it is difficult and life sometimes turn it around and see the positive. How do I know what that person had been through? I have no idea. That might have been, you know, their first day on the job. I don't know. And it was their crazy manager's fault for putting him there. Could be that. Maybe that's the issue. I don't know. But I think what it what it was trying to tell me is that, hey, when you love to complain, I mean, is it possible to make it a point not to? Just don't do that.

Just don't do that. Yeah, it might be difficult. It might be tough. But God tells us joy can outweigh the difficulties if we just choose to see it. Now, that doesn't mean we don't have, you know, we'd be phony or we don't we don't be real about our difficulties or the challenges of the trials we we do. It's not happy, happy, happy all the time. No, it's not saying that.

We cannot be fake, phony. No, not at all. But there is a significant difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is based on circumstances. Joy is based on our perspective. And our perspective is ultimately we win. Ultimately, with God's help, it will come to the best possible conclusion.

And so I have to ask myself, all right, maybe you like complaining too much.

Is that what I should do? Or should I really have an attitude of trying to bring light by just not perpetuating darkness? I think that that's a little key that Paul is getting to here in Philippians chapter 2. And if we just didn't complain, boy, would that offset us from the rest of the world? Because like standing in line with that person, it's easy to jump in with them and just complain along with everybody else. Yeah, that's my natural tendency. And it's easy to let our frustrations get away from us and vent and argue with someone over nothing, over not, or even if it is something. Is that really what's most beneficial? You see, if we're to focus and shine, we've got to look past all of the present things, these things that are immediately around us, and change our perspective. And it's not done by just thinking positively. How is it accomplished?

By submitting to God's Spirit. By praying and asking God, God, when those situations come up, and it's, I just have that tendency to want to get out of hand and complain and whine about things, help me. Nudge me through the power of your Spirit and help me to have a different way of thinking, a different focus, so that I can have the kind of joy you want me to have. And then, if we do that, things will really turn around. I think we really can begin to shine the way that God really wants us to. So when we think about these things, I think at times we all can suffer from DD, from distraction disorder. But I think God wants us to see, without a doubt, there is a cure. There is a cure. And I think it's summarized in verse 26 of Proverbs 23. Go to Proverbs 23 in verse 26, and I think we see kind of a summary version of this whole concept of how to overcome this distraction disease. Proverbs 23, verse 26. What great advice, like a good dad giving advice to his son. And in Proverbs 23, verse 26, God's doing the talking here, I think. And he says, My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

And of course, like that first verse that we started with back in Hebrews, chapter 2, verse 1, give the more earnest heed, give me your heart. Really, some translations even say that, give me your full attention, and do what I've shown you. Let your eyes observe my ways. Do what I show you. And I think when we do just that, we can be committed to overcome this dreadful distraction disease. If we follow through, and if we organize, and if we commit to being consistent, and we write down our priorities, that we are going to use God's resource, and we are going to understand what our full potential and our calling really is all about. So ultimately, we can shine. We can shine like a light in this dark world. And so let's overcome. Let's overcome DD and dedicate ourselves to focus. And we can certainly do that by giving God our full attention.