Articles
Focus on Him
As I read through the not-so- exciting (at least to me) portions of Leviticus and make my
way through all the rules and regulations for the people of Israel (especially for the priests), it
occurs to me that I’m learning some things about God that I would otherwise never know. God is
concerned about some things that I would normally think are trivial and I’m concerned about
some things that aren’t nearly as important to God.
That leads me to what I think is a really important conclusion—I was made for God; God
was not made for me! I think that’s a vital piece of information.
I think modern man refuses to recognize this. Consequently, God is his servant rather
than him being God’s servant. People like this philosophy. “God wants you to be happy. God
wants you to be successful. God wants you to reach your full potential. God wants you to be
rich.” Can you see how this all focuses on me?! God doesn’t exist for me. He loves me more
than I can imagine, but He can do just fine without me. He did okay before I came along and I’m
pretty sure He will be able to function when I’m gone.
It changes your entire focus in life when you acknowledge that you are God’s servant.
You are a follower of Jesus Christ. Your objective in life is to please Him. Check out the first
statement in each of Paul’s epistles. He always began by making it clear that he was a servant of
God and/or Jesus Christ. He existed to do God’s will. So do we. Recognition of that one
fundamental reality changes the focus of our entire life.
Our life is not about us, our life is about Him.
Ken Stegall
Woodland Oaks church of Christ
The Woodlands, TX
While copying this article to the bulletin page, I was reminded of the words of the Lord to
Isaiah, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the
Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and
My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). It would do us well to remember these words as
we consider how to live our lives for the Lord each day. P. Mowrer
