Focusing on Jesus – Morning Devotional From the Edges – Pastor Calvin Cook

Focusing on Jesus with Commitment

Following Jesus From the Edges –

Pastor Calvin Cook – August 27, 2024

Scripture focus: Hebrews 12:2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

At one point in my life, I worked in sales for a company. As part of my dedication to doing my best, I signed a covenant of loyalty to the company. This covenant had three key commitments: 1) To always uphold integrity and honesty in line with the company’s core values. 2) To remain consistent and dedicated to the work I was entrusted with. 3) To stay loyal to the company, even after my time there ended, by not joining a similar company for a specified period.

As time went on, I realized how difficult it is for a company to truly enforce such commitments. No organization can fully understand the motivations of its employees, as it cannot see into their hearts and minds. We’ve become skilled at presenting façades, masking our true intentions.

Now, consider your relationship with Jesus. Is your focus solely on what He can do for you? Or are you thinking about what you can do for Him? Although Jesus doesn’t need us to do anything—He is God, after all, and can do more than we can ever imagine—it’s important to reflect on the purpose of our relationship with Him and what He expects from us. Ask yourself, “Am I living out my purpose for Jesus?” And as a body of believers, the Church must also ask, “Are we fulfilling our purpose as the Church?”

So, to get to the heart of the matter—“What commitment have we made to Jesus?” Is it a commitment of focus, recognizing Him as the supreme authority, the founder and perfecter of our faith, the One who endured everything for us? In light of that, can we examine how we’re relating to Jesus? Are we truly focused on His mission? Are we growing in our faith? Are we upholding our covenant, especially the part where we remain loyal to Him to the end and beyond? Will we stay faithful to Jesus and resist the temptation to seek fulfillment elsewhere?

Let us pray that our souls find true satisfaction in Jesus alone.