Why is Our Faith Short-Lived? (Part 3)

             In my most recent posts, we have considered the question:  Why is our faith so short-lived?  I’ve already given you two reasons.  Today, I want to offer one final reason for our shallow faith—focus on self rather than on God.

            We live in a culture that encourages us to put ourselves above everyone and everything.  We’ve all heard the saying, “Look out for number 1.  If you don’t, no one else will.”   Frank Sinatra taught us that we should do everything “My[our] way,” and even Burger King reminds us that we can “have it your way.”  In short, much of what we see and hear directs us inward.

            My point is that we have become focused on ourselves—our own success, self-preservation and promotion, self-importance, and the list can go on and on.  That focus has caused us to become totally dependent on our own power.  Everything depends on us!  We have forgotten that the God of the universe cares about the details of our lives.  Just as Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, we have taken our eyes off God and focused on ourselves.

            Until we recognize that this life is not about us, we will never realize the deep and enduring faith that God invites us into.  We are here to praise God and fulfill His mission.  As we turn away from our inward focus, we will begin to develop that “heart-knowledge” that will deepen our faith.  We will also be more inclined to remember every blessing, big and small, that God rains down on us each day.

            An outward focus will help us to see life and those around us through God’s eyes.  That may be the first step in developing a faith that endures.  We were created to praise God—not ourselves!  The focus of Peter’s eyes determined whether he would walk or sink.  It’s the same for us.  Our focus will determine whether we grow in our intimate relationship with our Father or live a life focused on self and ultimate destruction.  Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus! 

Hebrews 12: 1, 2

Faith Chapter:  Hebrews 11

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