siLent Week 2, Focus

by | Mar 7, 2022 | siLent | 12 comments

Silence

Written by Mary & Jane

March 7, 2022

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

For years experts have touted the benefits of multitasking. We can be more productive when we are working on more than on thing at a time we were told. But recent research has proven that hypothesis wrong. It turns out we do much better when we focus on one thing at a time, giving it our full attention. God knew that all along!

Focus your eyes on Jesus.

In Hebrews 12:2 the original Greek word for fix is aphorao which means “to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.” Jesus is that something. What other thing can compare to Him? How do we fix our eyes on Something we cannot see? Other definitions provide clues as to how we accomplish this task. It all starts in the mind.

Focus your mind.

In addition aphoroa  can mean “to consider attentively;” and “to turn ones mind to.” Roots of the word aphoroa also mean “to know by experience.” We focus our mind on Christ, which helps us to focus our “spiritual eyes” on Him. Where the eyes focus, the body will follow.

Focus on the Author and Finisher.

The reason we must focus on Him is because He is the author and finisher of this faith journey we are on. He started our faith, and He will see us to the finish, when our faith becomes sight. Our faith journey is a process, a series of steps and stages, not a one and done experience. He leads us every beautiful, agonizing step of the way.

Week 2 Journal Activities

 

  1. How can we practice focusing on God?Let’s consider a spiritual practice call Lectio Divina or sacred reading. This article is posted on our other website and will guide you through the process. 
  2. Lectio Divina helps us to focus on a short passage of scripture as God targets one or more verses to our hearts.  Be sure to journal what you are learning/feeling. For more information on the myth of multitasking, see Christian neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf and her many resources. 
  3. Feel free to share any thoughts/insights in the comments. We’d love to hear what’s on your mind.
journal entry

12 Comments

  1. mary

    One thing I am doing this week to fix my eyes on Jesus is I am changing my night time routine. Instead of working on my computer or others household tasks up until the minute I go to bed, I;m setting a cut off time. About a half hour before bedtime I’m doing a nightly Bible reading. After that, Iog onto the app Lectio 365 and listen to their night time reflection. I want to focus my mind and eyes on Jesus especially at bedtime so He can impact my mind while I sleep.
    I want Jesus to be my Something, my Everything. All other things pale in comparison to my Savior. Amen.

    Reply
  2. Jane VanOsdol

    Today, the definition of “to know by experience” caught my attention. I was thinking about the different words we use to describe our degree of relationship with a person: heard of, am familiar with, acquaintance, friend, family. And I thought I want Jesus to be family — that close.

    Because I am saved, I am now family. But I want the kind of closeness that you only get by spending time with Him. Fixing my eyes and focusing on Jesus means that our relationship grows when I spend time with Him continually. Not just once for the week or the day and then I don’t think of Him again. It’s letting Him guide me through my days, letting Him direct the ebb and flow of my life.

    Reply
  3. Mary

    Week 2, Day 2:
    “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
    Think on these things. What things? true things, noble things, right things, pure things, lovely things, admirable things, praise worthy things. Don’t think about just anything and everything. Let your mind focus on the good, the God things.
    The word focus in the Greek is logizomai. If you are a word hound you probably already see the connection in logizomai to the Word of God (logos). We need to fill our mind with the word of God. The good true pure lovely Word of God. Jesus is the Word. Think on Him.
    Father this has been my greatest struggle. Help me to think your thoughts about me. Help me to have the mind of Christ. Amen.

    Reply
    • Jane VanOsdol

      Mary, so true. It’s often easier to believe God’s thoughts for other people than it is for ourselves!

      Reply
  4. Jane VanOsdol

    Week 2 Day 2
    Today I did a sacred reading (Lectio Divina) on the scripture for today (Phil 4:8). My focus settled on the phrase “whatever is true.” This jumped out to me because God has shown me over the last few years that when I don’t have His Truth firmly planted in my mind, then I have a wandering, unstable mind subject to doubts and fears. I wander in the wasteland instead of living in the Promised Land.

    It also struck me that the list of “whatever is’s” in Phil. 4:8 is in direct contrast to my worried “what ifs” that tend to run through my mind. I need to focus on the “whatever is true” for my days instead of living in the fear of “what if.”

    Reply
  5. Jane VanOsdol

    Wednesday 3/9
    I love the verse for today: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you,” Proverbs 4:25.

    This remind me not to live in the successes or failures of the past and not to dwell on the fears or expectations of tomorrow, but to LIVE in today. Milk today for all its worth. Receive everything God has for me and give everything He wants me to give. This is hard for me to do. I feel like I’m always looking ahead or behind. Lord, help me to use these 24 hours to make a difference. Guide my steps and put me on the right path, I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

    Reply
    • DeLisa

      Thanks for this reminder that we need to live in the moment. God promises strength for today, this day, this moment.We’ve had a bit of a family crisis recently. I’ve been so overwhelmed and I keep trying to figure out a long trim plan but I have to stop and remind myself that there are so many things out of my hands. Gos is telling me to take thing day by day.I need to focus my heart and mind on God, watch and listen for His will Instead of wearing myself out trying to figure it all out. May His plan/will and His peace prevail. Amen💙

      Reply
      • Jane VanOsdol

        DeLisa,
        I understand what you’re struggling with. When I have gone through crises, I’m all about making a plan too. And you do that as much as you can. But you’re right. Some circumstances don’t allow for that. You have to work through it one day at a time because things are changing so quickly that they won’t conform to your plan.

        Father, we pray for DeLisa’s family. Guide them each day in the decisions that need to be made. Ground them in You — Your character, love, word, and truth, so that they can stand in this storm in Your strength. Help DeLisa to be a reassuring presence to her family in this time, because You are hers. We pray for relief and healing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

        Reply
        • DeLisa

          Yes, and amen!
          Thank you for that sweet prayer, Jane.

          Reply
          • DeLisa

            “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. “ 2 Timothy 1:7

          • Jane VanOsdol

            You are so welcome! 2 Timothy 1:7 is a verse I pray and claim all the time!

  6. Mary

    Thursday, March 10.
    We are to set our minds on things above, not on things on earth. The Greek word for set is phroneo. It means to strive for something, to cherish the same views, to curb or rein in. We are to be in control of our mind, not just let it wander aimlessly. Like an expert rider upon a horse, we are to direct where our mind goes. I want my mind to be tied to Christ. We get to choose. I get to choose. I am not a victim of my thoughts, I am the manager of my thoughts. Father, You have given us/me the mind of Christ. Help me this day to set my mind as Christ would, on the will of God. Amen.

    Reply

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