Elisha Vision – Commentary

Have you every had eye floaters? You know, the little black dots that sort of drift through the periphery of you field of vision. You seem to get used to them and are somehow able to function while ignoring them. This week I realized that we also have brain floaters, those thoughts that intrude on the thinking process when you are trying to focus on important ideas. They just fly in and out, sort of on the periphery just like eye floaters.

Did I pay that bill? Why didn’t he call back? Where are my keys? Is there still a bit of ice cream in the fridge? Is it already time for another haircut. Who won the game last night?

Now you are probably thinking that I have lost it, but there is a real point here. Especially with the introduction of smart phones, our ability to focus is seriously threatened. We have never had more information at our fingertips, yet we find it more and more difficult to focus on the truly important issues. Our attention span is about five seconds, tops.

Our culture is in a major “dumbing down” mode. More dangerous than the rise of the information age is the explosion of entertainment, sports, “me time” and a zillion other distractions. Why is this a problem? Who cares? The next time someone tells you about a good movie or good anything, ask them: “Do you mean good in the sense of Godly?”

Maybe we should have loftier goals in life. Let me answer with a few directives (of many) from the Bible. You know, that old book that used to be in schools, motels, people’s homes, and yes, even in churches! Can you imagine that? I am not joking. Major denominations abandoned the Bible long ago as the actual foundation of character, behavior and believing faith. I joke about living in the Bible Belt, like you have a little holster with a Bible in it, but you don’t actually use it!

So here are just a few verses:

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (perfect peace in Hebrew is shalom, shalom)

Commit your works to Yehovah, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1-2

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

We need to focus on what God is thinking: like Israel, salvation, His Kingdom, and His heart; to name a few. That’s why I end my blogs this way: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists               (Read more)