The Benefits of Focused Vision
Part 3
by Dr. John Tetsola
Last month we mentioned some of the benefits of focused vision. We mentioned that when you have clear unhindered focus, your ability to make decisions and know right directions is made easy. Secondly, there's a price to be paid for everything that God gives you or calls you to do, and focused vision helps to prevent us from settling for temporal gratification. A third benefit of focused vision is that it helps us to live for the eternal and causes us to sacrifice today for tomorrow. Without focus, we'd ultimately fall short of accomplishing God's plan and vision for our lives. Now let's examine some additional benefits of focused vision, as portrayed in the lives of Bartimaeus and Solomon.
Throw off and Lay Aside
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Mark 10: 46-52
Bartimaeus was blind and living in cardboard boxes all of his life. When he heard that Jesus would be passing by he began to scream and make disturbances until he got the attention of Jesus. As soon as he got Jesus' attention, the first thing Bartimaeus did was to throw off and lay aside his beggar's coat-which signified his livelihood, his source of revenue and protection. At his defining moment, Bartimaeus chose not to identify with his blindness or his condition and threw away everything that identified with his present condition because he was expecting a change. Jesus asked him what he wanted Him to do for him. Now blind Bartimaeus could have said, "I'd like a better insulated sleeping bag," or, "I'd like a golden retriever guide dog." Instead, he was totally focused on what he wanted. He said, "Lord, I want to see." What are you expecting? Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles. If you expect nothing, you will receive nothing. If you ask not, you will receive not. Blind Bartimaeus was focused on Jesus and not on his circumstance, and he got healed. He refused to let public opinion derail him from receiving his sight. He was not going to let this opportunity pass him by. Learn to seize your moments by realizing the opportunities God has given you. There's a better marriage, a better relationship, a better standard of living, a better life and ministry in your horizon. Stay focused and maximize it.
Solomon's Focus
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
1 Kings 3: 5, 9-12When Solomon began his ministry, he asked God for the one thing he needed most-the right focus and perspective to lead the people of God. This was key to his becoming one of the wisest men in the world. God was so impressed that He gave Solomon everything that he didn't ask for. This is the principle found in Matthew 6:33 which says to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, for when we do, God promises that all of the other things we did not ask for will be added. What would you ask for if you were Solomon? Would you ask God to help you hit the $150,000,000 Lotto? Unfortunately, possessing money doesn't make one wise, for if we're stupid with one hundred and fifty dollars a week, we'd be even more stupid with a hundred and fifty thousand a week. Don't seek things; stay focused and seek the One who gives things, and obtain the necessary wisdom you'll need to handle that. With the spirit of focus you'll finish your course and will not be distracted.
by Dr. John A. Tetsola