Focusing on God

Matthew 14:22-33

After a long day of ministry and miracles, despite being personally weary and grieving, Jesus knew He needed (and wanted) one-on-one time to connect and converse with His heavenly Father. There was relief and refreshment from this focused, undistracted connection – which can be ours as well. A short time later, as Peter and the other disciples are struggling on the lake, Peter pursues similar connection with Jesus and obtains it – Peter walks on water. But, he quickly gets distracted by his challenging circumstances (the wind and waves) and finds himself in greater turmoil (beginning to sink) than he was before (in a boat during a storm). Peter calls for Jesus and Jesus is immediately there for him, first with assistance and secondly with an opportunity to grow. We will each, at times, stumble in our efforts to live for Christ consistently, but Jesus offers us a call to come to Him for immediate care.

Question 1: What challenges and distractions do you find yourself focusing on now? Or still holding onto from the past?

Question 2: What opportunities is God providing you to care for and minister to others despite and/or because of the challenges and difficulties you have faced? 

​Challenge: Identify one challenging situation today that someone you know is facing. Intentionally connect and converse with God concerning that challenge. Then actively listen and look for an opportunity to be God’s messenger or aide for that person – while keeping your focus more on Him than on the challenge.