Focus? What Do You Want?

FOCUS? WHAT DO YOU SEE? WHAT DO YOU WANT?

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I. WHAT DO YOU SEE? DO YOU WANT TO STAY THIS WAY?

A. FOUR EYES? DIFFERENT VIEW? Differing conclusions?

Years ago I was a representative of Lee County, Virginia to the VEA Convention. (Virginia Education Association) We were staying at a huge motel.

My friend and fellow delegate came to my room and we were discussing the next day’s agenda.

I was on the 14th floor (which was really the 13th floor) and looking out the window. My friend asked me: WHAT DO YOU SEE? What are you looking at?

I replied, Look over there someone threw out a bag of garbage and the wind has carried the garbage all around. I focused on the garbage.

I asked him: WHAT DO YOU SEE?

We were looking out the same window.

He answered: I WAS LOOKING AT THAT HUGE FLOWER BED OVER THERE.

He said just think of all the work, love and sweat in those thousands of flowers?

I never saw the flowers, I was focusing on the garbage.

We were looking out the same window, I saw garbage?

He saw flowers? I ponder: WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

Perhaps we would say the FOCUS?

B. FOCUS:

A point at which the rays of heat, light, or sound converge or from which they diverge.

A point from which intersection give rise to an image.

Adjustment for distinct vision.

A condition where permitting clear perception or understanding.

A center of action, activity, attention, or attraction.

To come together on a common or central point.

To concentrate, or pay close attention.

C. DO YOU WANT TO SPEND A LIFE AS A CRITIC?

ONE GIVEN TO HARSH OR CAPTIOUS JUDGEMENT!

CRITIC:

One that finds fault.

One that expresses their opinion.

To analyze, evaluate.

D. I once read of an art critic finding faults with a great MASTERPIECE.

When he finished finding all the faults of the Masterpiece, the Masterpiece was sold for over a million dollars.

The artist asked to see the ART CRITIC’S WORK, he answered, I CAN’T PAINT, I HAVE NEVER TRIED!

It is easier to be CRITICAL THAN TO TRY!

E. I am told great artist paint a visible flaw in every work, so those looking for faults will find the flaw quickly and then quit judging.

II. IS THAT ANGEL STUPID? DOESN’T HE KNOW?

WHAT DID YOU SAY? WHO ARE YOU KIDDING? THAT IS NOT A FUNNY JOKE?

A. Will I allow my limitations to limit God’s plan? Do you ever feel so little that you can’t seem to find a solution?

Angel --- have you been in the wine?

Lord: WHAT DO YOU MEAN CALLING ME A MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR?

Judges 6:12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

B. JUST CALL ME CHICKEN LITTLE?

I THINK THE SKY IS FALLING IN?

I see the negative: HAVEN’T YOU HEARD THE LORD HAS FORSAKEN US?

Judges 6:13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

C. HOW EASY IS IT FOR A BELIEVER TO FOCUS AND COME UP WITH INVALID CONCLUSIONS?

WE ARE GOD FORSAKEN AND THE MIDIANITES ARE GOD BLESSED?

Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

D. Gideon says DON’T YOU KNOW HOW LITTLE I AM?

Then to ENLARGE HIS LITTLENESS, Gideon proclaims how little his family really is? He also makes the enemy larger! Then GIDEON DECLARES NOT ONLY ARE WE LITTLE --- WE ARE POOR?

E. POOR: BARREN, UNPRODUCTIVE, NO FRUIT.

Lacking in mental, physical, emotional, political power.

POVERTY!

Less than adequate.

Small in worth.

Inferior. DEPRIVED.

F. The angel might have been the Lord!

Was the angel talking to the WRONG DUDE?

G. WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE FOCUS ON HOW LITTLE THEY ARE, THEY ARE SLAPPING GOD’S WORD IN THE FACE.

FURTHERMORE, THEY ARE MOVING AND SPEAKING GREAT DOUBT.

H. GOD’S WORK HAS NEVER DEPENDED ON THE ABILITY OF THE MAN?

III. GOD: DID YOU FORGET I AM HANDICAPPED? GOD, CAN’T YOU HEAR?

A. Moses knew enough to FOCUS AND MAKE EXCUSES FOR WHY HE COULD NOT DO WHAT GOD HAD COMMANDED.

B. Moses recognized the PRESENCE OF I AM THAT I AM enough to take off his shoes for THIS IS HOLY GROUND.