FOCUSED

Today's reading: Acts 6-7

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing the place of honor at God's right hand." Acts 7:55 NLT

Stephen wasn't standing in a quiet, lovely Temple.

Or in a beautiful, contemplative prayer garden.

He wasn't calmly camped out in his prayer chair on an early morning.

Stephen was standing in the middle of an angry mob intent on stoning him for preaching the Good News.

He was being shouted at for proclaiming Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection.

His life was in danger.

His ministry was being pulled apart by threads.

His testimony was being tested verse by verse.

And still he chose to see the Lord.

He made the effort to look for God.

He stepped over and above his circumstances just to keep his eyes on Jesus.

I'm ashamed to say I don't always do the same. I get bogged down by the goings-on around me. I get distracted by the happenings in my own little world. I allow myself to get overwhelmed by the here-and-now instead of overjoyed by the what's-to-come.

I've got to keep my eyes on Jesus--no matter what!