Focused On...?

Timothy's feet hurt. Truly hurt. They ached with a pain that Timothy had never experience in his life. Was it even possible to walk when you were in this much pain?

"Where are we going to stay?" Timothy glanced over at Silas.

"I don't know," Silas said, glancing over at him. "I'm trying not to worry about it."

Timothy was trying not to worry about it either.

His stomach groaned.

Great. Now he was worried about his lack of food.

They turned the corner, and stopped in their tracks. Dust billowed around them in a big, tan cloud, but that didn't block out the sight before them.

Paul stood in the middle of a group of people teaching them about Jesus. Someone had brought him a plate of food, but it sat off to the side, ignored. His face was beat red from the heat, but he didn't move to the shade. He was consumed with his task.

Timothy looked at Silas, and was a little relieved to see his own sheepish expression mirrored on Silas' face. Paul was occupied with the Word of God, focused on the important things. God was taking care of him. Maybe they should focus on the same thing instead of worrying.

Based on Acts 18:5

"When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus." Acts 18:5

I love this verse. I love what it means. Paul was so focused on the word, on serving God, and sharing the Gospel.  When other people arrived, they found Paul occupied with sharing God's word.

Most of us are totally focused. We know how to focus - on everything else! But on God? Do we know how to be totally focused on God?

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

If I had moved to a strange new city, I would be focused on so many things. Where would I live? Where would I get the money to buy food? How will my family adjust to this new place? Where is the nearest bookstore?

What you're focused on when other people show up out of the blue, when you don't know they are watching you, shows a lot about your priorities. Paul's priority was the word. Lived and breathed it. What are you occupied with everyday? Is it God?

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

Occupy yourself with the things and The One above.

V. Joy Palmer