What Is Your Focus?

DCC Devotionals: What Is Your Focus?
By Don Vess

“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” – Colossians 3:2 (AMP)

A Temporary Perspective vs. An Eternal Focus

My wife, Becki, and I love visiting the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. Walking through its grand halls, we marvel at the wealth and luxury that one family enjoyed. The intricate details, the lavish furnishings, the massive library—it’s breathtaking! But as I take it all in, a thought always comes to mind: No matter how beautiful this place is, it pales in comparison to what God has prepared for His children in eternity.

George Vanderbilt, the man behind the Biltmore Estate, died at just 52 years old. He poured his resources into building something extraordinary, yet he never truly got to enjoy the fullness of his work. His story reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Luke 12:16-21, where a wealthy man stored up treasures for himself, only for God to call him home that very night.

How easy it is to focus on earthly things—our careers, possessions, and personal achievements—forgetting that everything in this world is temporary. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:2 to shift our focus to things above, to what truly lasts.

What Are the “Things Above”?

So, what should we be focusing on? Here are a few eternal things that should captivate our hearts:
1.Christ Himself – He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. (Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”)
2.A Reunion in Heaven – One day, we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord himself will come down from heaven… and we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”)
3.Heavenly Rewards – Our obedience and faithfulness will not go unnoticed. (Revelation 22:12 – “Look, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds.”)
4.An End to Pain and Suffering – In eternity, there will be no more death, sorrow, or sickness. (Revelation 21:4 – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”)
5.Eternal Life – This life is temporary, but our souls are eternal. (Romans 2:7 – “He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.”)

What Are You Looking At?

It’s easy to get caught up in life’s difficulties—financial struggles, health challenges, disappointments. But Scripture reminds us that our struggles are temporary. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says:

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

A Call to Refocus

So, what are you focusing on today? Are you consumed by what is seen—your struggles, frustrations, and the pressures of life? Or are you fixing your eyes on what is unseen—God’s promises, His faithfulness, and the eternal life that awaits?

The next time you find yourself overwhelmed, declare in faith:

“I am blessed with the best, no stress, and highly favored!”

Not because of what is seen, but because of what is unseen—the eternal hope we have in Christ.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You and the eternal life You have promised. When the worries of this world try to distract me, remind me that my true home is in heaven. Strengthen my faith and give me the wisdom to focus on what truly matters. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1.What earthly distractions are keeping you from focusing on Christ?
2.How can you remind yourself daily to fix your thoughts on heavenly things?
3.What specific promise from God encourages you to keep an eternal perspective?