2020 has been the year of videoconferences. And one of the worst parts of those meetings is that we can see ourselves the entire time.
Never before could we so easily see what we looked like every time we laughed, made conversation or even just listened.
It feels like we’re living in front of a mirror—and this can lead to a hyper-focus on self.
If you like what you see on screen, you start preening. If you don’t like what you see, you start critiquing. But neither path will bring you lasting joy.
It’s kind of the same way with our spiritual lives as believers.
As long as we’re focusing on ourselves, we’ll never make spiritual progress. We’ll either get puffed-up and prideful or depressed and discouraged by what we see in ourselves.
The only way to live the Christian life victoriously is to change our focus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 puts it this way:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NASB)
The only way we will finish our race well is to fix our eyes on Jesus. And the great news is that Holy Spirit will enable us to do that.
So the next time you find yourself watching your mannerisms on screen, let it be a reminder to change your focus and fix your eyes on Jesus.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation. www.lockman.org