Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 19:23, “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.”
Background
I recently saw a funny take on an old, familiar adage. The sign said, “Caution: Trees Obscuring View of Forest Next 5 Miles.” Now, we’ve all been guilty of losing sight of the bigger, more important picture by focusing too much on what is rather insignificant by comparison. And though the individual trees are not irrelevant, for without them we have no forest, the beauty of the entire canopy is lost when one is unable to see the grander landscape. And even without knowing who you are, I can safely say that today you will several times direct your time and energy disproportionately on things that are not deserving of so much attention. And if your time was endless, then that might not be so bad. Unfortunately, concentrating too heavily on the unimportant usually means that you’re missing out on something far more substantial. If you or I were watching from a distance as the events of the crucifixion unfolded before us, we would probably be at our wits end as we tried to reconcile the soldiers’ fascination with a criminal’s clothing even as the Son of God was hanging from a cross before them. What could seem more out of balance than divvying up some sandals and a tunic when the Savior of the universe hung dying from the spikes you just drove through Him?
Application
So, what will it be that takes your eyes off of the mark and puts them on the minutiae along the way? About what will you look back and regret clamoring over when the day is done? Better yet, what can you do differently to prevent that emptiness that comes with a sense of waste and remorse? How can you keep yourself from getting caught up in things that do little more than keep you caught up in them? Like those soldiers could have done, you keeping your eyes on the cross of Jesus can do amazing things to your priorities and interests. Your sandals and such, whatever they might be, will have their place. But if you’ll focus on that one special tree, the rest of the forest will appear exactly as He intends.
Charge
As we seek Him today, let God minimize and maximize where you put your energy and time and emotion, all for His glory and your good.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com where you can listen.
