Keeping Focus in an Un-Focused World

Keeping Focus

Pastor Calvin Cook

July 2, 2025

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:2

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” – Acts 7:55

For the last several days, my thoughts continue to return to the story of Stephen in Acts 6 & 7. In Acts 7, as Stephen faced death, the stones were being thrown, the crowd was raging, yet Stephen as described earlier as “a person full of faith by the Holy Spirit” fixed his eyes on Jesus. He saw Jesus standing, not sitting, at the right hand of God, ready to receive him home. Stephen’s focus was not on the pain, the crowd, or the fear of what was happening, but on Jesus who was with him even in the hardest moment.

I am also thinking into my own life of the focus that I want to keep on Jesus and doing what Jesus calls me to. Keep my focus on what it means to be the church. Keep my focus on the Great Commission, something we all are called to. Keep my focus on the things that will matter eternally.

But how can we do this, when there is a constant barrage of everything else that comes against us. Recently a close friend shared with me that he had heard the words “Look Up”. But how?

How do we keep looking up when everything else is drawing our attention downward or towards the earthly things that present a false satisfaction.

In life, distractions will come from every direction: pressures of work, family tensions, health concerns, and the constant noise of the world. Like Stephen, you will face moments when it feels like stones are coming at you, and you may feel alone or overwhelmed.

Yet, the invitation remains: look up.

When you keep your focus on Jesus:

• You remember who you are and Whose you are.

• You find strength when your own strength is gone.

• You see beyond your current struggle to the glory God has prepared.

• You remain anchored in faith when the world shakes around you.

The early church in Acts learned to focus on Jesus in everything they did—through persecution, through daily meals, in worship, and in the breaking of bread. They did not lose sight of Jesus because they had seen His faithfulness and power.

Today, whatever you are facing, take a deep breath and look up. Fix your eyes on Jesus as Stephen did. Let His presence refocuses your spirit, calm your mind, and strengthen your resolve to live faithfully, no matter the circumstances.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, just as Stephen did, even when life is hard. Remind me of Your nearness and Your power and help me to live faithfully as I follow You each day. Amen