A heart is filled by what a person treasures the most. Such affection is built up and preserved by what we focus our attention to. The world teaches us from elementary school to pursue (with all that we are) the goods, gold and glory of this life. We have all heard the saying, “If you put your mind to it, you can do anything!” There is some value to applying oneself to ambitious goals to acquire significance and security. However, the Bible warns that all things that are of the world are temporary and will end with this life (1 Tim 6:7). Jesus warns that a human mindset solely focused on earthly things blurs our view of heaven’s treasures. He exhorts (Mt 6:19-20), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Then, He offers heaven’s wisdom of how to obey this command. The truth is this: What we focus on illuminates our hearts, thus, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” According to our Lord there are two primary ways people view and pursue life.
An eye that focuses on Jesus is enriched by heaven’s treasure. He says, “…if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” Remember, God is truth. John teaches (1 Jn 1:5), “…that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” A spiritual eye that is healthy primary focus will be to look to our Lord for His Word and Will. To fix our eyes on Jesus fills us with his light that we may “reflect” his Glory.
An eye focused on worldly pursuits is darkened by earthly treasure. When we give our attention primarily to the things of this world (to the neglect of spiritual matters), it is reflection of a distorted view on life that has been obscured by our sinful nature. It is like a person who enters a dark room after being a lighted hallway. At first, they are completely blinded by the darkness, but after awhile, their eyes adjust to the lack of true light to allow some vision of what is around them. In the dark such person sight is poor and could lead to injury. Likewise, when we have poor spiritual eyesight, it has acclimated to earthly things. It looks only to the treasures of this earth and thus allowing darkness of greed and self-interest to enter the heart and dwell. Jesus says, “…if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”
Dear friends, look to God where true treasures lives being stored up for us in heaven. Let us look upon Jesus that he fill our eyes with God’s will and glory. For our hearts will reflect his goodness if we turn our attention to him. For this is True Focus. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com