• Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About
Sunny Slope Church of Christ
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About

Keeping Our Focus

8/15/2021

 
By: Gary L. Hutchens
​   “These are trying times.”  How often have you heard this statement?  Have you ever wondered who first said this and to what times he was referring?  Obviously, he was referring to the times in which he lived.  When do you suppose that was, and what, specifically, prompted him to say it?  Well, it’s a fairly subjective statement, so he could have been talking about any of a whole host of matters.  I have no idea, but I suspect it has been repeated for centuries, perhaps for millennia. 
   In making this statement, one person might be thinking about turmoil, strife and war in the world.  Another person might be referring to crime and violence in the streets.  Somebody else might say it because of economic hard times in the society in which he lives.  Still another might refer to natural disasters such as a hurricanes, tornados, floods or droughts.  Others might be motivated by personal hard times due to disease or injury or job loss.  Still others might be dealing with family problems or legal troubles.  It could be most anything that could prompt a negative emotion within a given individual.
   I remember asking a brother in Christ many years ago how things were going.  His answer was close to these words: “Life’s a rat race, and sometimes I think the rats are winning!”  Now some folks might think that brother had a bad attitude, and maybe he did.  But what do we really expect from life in this world?
   Are we looking for total fulfillment and happiness in this life?  Do we expect there to come a day in this world when there will be no more wars, no more conflicts, no more strife?  Will the world economy become such that there will never be another recession or depression or economic slow down?  Will we someday be able to control the weather and eliminate storms, floods and drought?  Will there be a time here when nobody will get sick or die or suffer an injury?  Will there come a day when every person will have a job?
   Of course the answer to all of these questions is a resounding “NO, not in this world!”  Truthfully, during any time someone is alive in this world is a trying time.  There’ll never be a time here when everything is peachy keen.  This is a tough place filled with pain, hardship suffering, sickness, dying, strife, violence and hatred, and it always will be so.  And, yes, there are some rats running around in human skin.  This is not utopia.  But this world is not what life is all about.  We’ll not find ultimate happiness here.  This world is not where our main focus should be (1 Jn. 2:15-17).
   We should stay focused on Heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).  That’s where we’re headed.  That’s where all of those negatives mentioned earlier will not exist (Rev. 7:16-17; 21:4).  That’s where we’ll realize ultimate peace, fulfillment and happiness.  This world is forever tarnished by sin, but Heaven is the eternal home of those saved from sin.  Because we know what’s waiting for us in Heaven, we can enjoy life here (Jn. 10:10), but life here will never compare to Heaven (2 Cor. 5:1-4).  Let’s never forget where we’re going.  Let’s keep our focus…
​

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Gary L. Hutchens

    Categories

    All
    Dennis Stackhouse
    Gary Hutchens

    Archive

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    January 2007

Member Login
SUBMIT PRAYER REQUEST
© 2019 Sunny Slope Church of Christ | All Rights Reserved
3606 N. 108th St., Omaha, NE 68164 | (402) 498-8397 | Contact Us
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About