I watch a lot of football each week and have great respect for how tough playing at the highest level must be. However, I’m always still amazed when an NFL player drops a wide-open pass – especially when it goes right through his hands.
If you think of your favorite team, I’m sure either a wide receiver, running back, or tight end has dropped a crucial pass this year. There have also probably been a few drops that have cost your team a chance at the win.
So why do players drop passes? Aren’t they taught to watch the ball all the way into their hands? Don’t they realize they can’t score the touchdown unless they complete the catch and keep their eye on the ball?
Ultimately, it comes down to a lack of focus. It happens in an instant where they might shift their attention to the end zone, or worry too much about the defense, or start thinking about their own glory before even making the catch.
Even the best wide receivers get distracted at times and must remind themselves of the simple saying, “Keep your eyes on the ball.”
When it comes to our own lives, we can also get distracted and lose focus on what’s most important. When we shift our attention away from Jesus by dwelling on the wrong things, or worrying too much, or thinking about our own glory, we can start dropping the ball too.
I think the Christmas season is like a wide-open catch. You’d assume that thinking about Jesus would be easy (since the holiday is rooted in Him and because of Him), but for some reason we allow distractions to shift our focus to everything else going on.
I love Christmas movies…songs…eggnog…cookies…traditions…and gifts, but unfortunately I can very easily put all of my attention on those things and forget to ponder the truth and power behind Jesus coming to earth.
If we aren’t intentionally "keeping our eyes on the ball," we can become unaware of His presence and not fully experience His Spirit that's moving in and around us.
A player can enjoy everything that comes after securing the catch, but first, he must keep a strong focus on the ball and see it clearly.
Likewise, all the Christmas activities are more fruitful and worthwhile when we first keep the proper focus on Jesus. This truth isn’t just for Christmas, but for our entire journey in life.
Hebrews 12:2, in the Amplified Bible translation, explains where our eyes need to be: “… focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith , who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God .”
The enemy wants us to be distracted, consumed with the wrong things, our minds cloudy, and our eyes fixed on what’s temporary. However, as followers of Jesus, Colossians 3:2 (ESV) tells us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Matthew 6:33 (AMP) says, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness , and all these things will be given to you also.”
I hope we enjoy the Christmas season while we keep our focus on the One who came to us, so that we may have salvation…true life…joy…and hope in Him.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you so much for sending Your Son to earth to redeem me and give me eternal life. I admit to daily getting caught up in the wrong things (especially this time of year), but I pray You would give me the strength to fix my eyes on Jesus. I desire to stay focused on Him while enjoying this wonderful Christmas season. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is distracting you the most right now?
What do you need to do differently to remain focused on Jesus?
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