Our grandchildren are pretty disciplined about their homework, so part of Peggy’s and my time with them last week was solving math problems as a team. At one point, Abigail said, “When Daddy helps us with our math, he teaches us to think about the problem differently.” I thought, “Now that’s engagement.” It occurred me that, as he helps them develop their math skills, he is also building up their minds with regards to reasoning, creativity, perseverance, and confidence.
“Think differently”—in our transformation series (which began on June 10), we’ve observed it is God who steadily transforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the master craftsman, and “we are his workmanship.”1 Yet we as recipients have an active role in our transformation, as well. So, let’s look, and let’s begin with our minds, for Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”2 Then how do we as believers—born of and indwelled by the Spirit of God—align our thinking and the actions that follow? Over time, I’ve noticed three focal points emerge in my thought life, and I share them here in hopes they are helpful to you.
Focus on what is true. We are surrounded daily by misleading falsehood and discouraging deception, so I find Paul’s exhortations to be helpful. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”3 And taking the offensive, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”4
Focus on what is eternal. “This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.”5 We do well to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”6
Focus on where we’re going. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”7 And “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, . . . press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”8
Yes, think differently. And be transformed.
Father, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”9 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”10 Thank you. In Christ I pray. Amen.
1 Ephesians 2:10 ESV
2 Romans 12:2 ESV
3 Philippians 4:8 NLT
4 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
5 1 John 2:17 NLT)
6 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
7 Colossians 3:2-3 ESV
8 Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
9 Psalm 119:160 NIV
10 Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Tag: Focus
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To Live in Upward Focus
Discern one word for guidance throughout the coming year. This is our annual January challenge in the Wednesday morning men’s Bible study I attend. I engage in this exercise with some reservation, for our call as believers is to offer ourselves entirely to the Spirit, who speaks in real-time, each word vital in the moment. But looking back at my words for the past three years — “listen,” “trust,” and “go,” — I must admit they coalesce nicely into a cohesive summary of the Christian walk. So, I have chosen my word for 2025, and that word is . . .
“Focus.”
Which immediately begs the question: Focus on what? Personally, I feel called to focus on our heavenly destination, which consumes increasingly more of our field of vision as we continually stride toward it. Paul writes to the Colossians, “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. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”1 Then as we near our final destiny, that which is important becomes clearer, and that which is not becomes clutter. Sense the passion of the Hebrews epistolarian as he exhorts us: “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith . . .”2 Can you feel his intensity, his laser focus on what eternally matters?
Then what does it mean to live in upward focus? Continuing his letter to the Colossian church, Paul explains what it means “to set our hearts and minds on things above.” It means putting on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. It means forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven us. It means putting on love, which bears the fruit of harmony. It means letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and to be thankful.3 Would you agree?
Then let’s pray for ourselves and each other as Paul prayed for the church.4 Father, fill us with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that Your Spirit gives, so that we may live a life worthy of You and please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to You, who have qualified us to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
2 Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
3 Colossians 3:12-15
4 Colossians 1:10-12 NIV
Paul Nordman—Author 