FOCUS

2 Kings 14:1-12
1 Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. . . . 5 After the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king. 6 Yet he did not put the sons of the assassins to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses where the Lord commanded. . . . 7 He was the one who defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela in battle, calling it Joktheel, the name it has to this day. 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: "Come, meet me face to face." 9 But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: . . . 10 "You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?" 11 Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. . . . 12 Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home.

We leaned against the churning machines in the barracks laundry room, two US Navy reservists whose lives had been inverted by a volatile ideology that ignited on September 11, 2001. As our clothes sloshed and spun, we discussed the agitated condition of the world since our recall to active duty. Inevitably, our conversation turned to God.

My new friend told me he shared my faith in Jesus Christ. Back home, he had been a youth group leader. But here, he said, "So often I just lose focus." I found his candor refreshing. Here was an honest Christian, unconcerned with the need to impress me.

Why is it that we "lose focus" so readily? How can we enjoy spiritual victory and the peace of God one moment, then suffer a discouraging defeat the next?

Amaziah, one of the lesser known kings in the Bible, accomplished a few good things but quickly lost focus. He showed mercy to the sons of his father's assassins. He also won a great victory over hostile Edom, a neighboring country (2 Kings 14:3-6).

But Amaziah lost sight of the source of his victory and challenged the other half of God's divided kingdom, Israel. The result: a crushing defeat (vv.7-14).

We won't achieve any meaningful success in our own strength. Without God, we have nothing. So how do we maintain focus?

* Read the Bible. Time spent with God's Word should be as essential to us as our daily food.

* Work on your prayer life! If your mind wanders like mine, make your prayers brief, but pray more often.

* Learn to rely on the Holy Spirit every day.

* Find Christian friends to pray with and be accountable to.

The Christian life isn't complicated, but it isn't easy either. Jesus said we must take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). If we aren't doing that, we're sure to lose focus. --Tim Gustafson

DESTINATION POINTS

* How often do I read the Bible?
* Do I regularly keep a prayer list? Am I careful to note answers to prayer? * Who are my closest friends and how do they help me in my spiritual life?

bottom line: If you think you've arrived, look out!

soul journey