Focused Mission

According to the latest research, the average adult consumes five times more information every day than their counterpart 50 years ago. In fact, the average person spends as much as 12 hours a day in front of a TV and computer. There is no denying that we live in a world that is saturated with things that vie for our attention. For this reason, many of us struggle to stay focused on what Jesus wants to do in, and through, us.

With that being said, it is important to remember that Jesus also faced many daily distractions. Just think, the scribes and Pharisees tried to engage Him in useless debates about who He was, and they continuously criticized Him for almost everything he did. This was Satan’s ill attempt to discourage Him from fulfilling His mission. But that did not discourage Jesus. He was not distracted from the mission He came to accomplish, nor did He deviate from it. Even at a young age, Jesus knew that He “must be about (His) Father’s business,” says Luke 2:49 (KJV).

I often like to ponder the things that Jesus could have done while He was on earth. Although He had unlimited power and resources at His disposal, Jesus did not build a temple or a synagogue, or heal every sick person in the world at that time, nor did He raise everyone from the dead. That is because His mission was very specific. Jesus stuck to His objective. He came to do God’s will on earth (John 6:38). He was the light of the world, illuminating it with His love (John 8:12). He was the salt of the earth. Jesus’ fundamental mission on earth was to fulfill God’s plan to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

What is encouraging about this thought is that Jesus is still faithful to His mission even today. He still calls all sinners to repent. On this very day, Jesus continues to seek and save those who, by faith, come to Him for salvation. So, despite all the clutter and distraction of this world, Jesus wants your attention and wants to save you. Let us not forget what His mission was, and still is, and live out the words of Colossians 3:1-2: “Since, then, 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.”

By Lee-Roy Chacon, President