Focused

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050614.cfm) reminds me what the effect of focusing on God is 

Yesterday we saw how peaceful Stephen is. Today we again see another instance of that when he was being stoned to death. On his last breath, like Jesus, he asked God not to hold the sin against the people. No trace of hurt or anger. Just peace. Why? Because he was focused on God.

As he was doing his work, he knew that the focus should be on God. He did not desire acceptance and popularity as he was preaching. He desires conversion. He wanted to bring people to God. He wanted to proclaim God's message. So when he was being stoned, he asked God to forgive the very people stoning him, because they were the very people he was trying to convert, he was trying to bring to God.

In our lives, we experience this as well. Not just as we proclaim God's kingdom, but in our everyday lives. There may be situations brining us down or distracting us. People may hurt us. However, we should be like Stephen, focused on God and his goodness and love. And these outside influences will not bring us down.

What is bothering me today? What weighs me down? What do I do about it?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to shine for you. Lord, help me always focus on you. May my eyes always be fixed on you as I live this life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-