FOCUS ON HIS HORIZON

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Have you ever been seasick? I sure have. One of the most important parts of trying to regain your composure in such a situation is the idea of keeping your eyes fixed on the horizon. If we focus on the heaving boat or the crashing waves, we are goners. 

The same advice is applicable to dealing with the side effects of anxiety and worry. We must keep our eyes fixed on His horizon!

In the passage that follows, we hear the second part of Jesus’ teaching on worry. 

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

(Luke 12:27-31 NIV11)

Previously

In the previous part of this teaching, the Lord challenged his disciples to consider the birds of the air as they faced the everyday concerns of life. The point was, if the Lord supplies the birds, he will supply you. We were, therefore, challenged to get up and get to work rather than sit still and wallow in our worry. Trusting God is a call to action. 

Flora

In the opening section of this teaching, the Lord Jesus challenges his disciples to consider the flora of this world. Jesus challenged his people to step aside from their runaway worries for a moment and consider the majesty of God as they look into the beauty of wild flowers. 

Jesus made it clear that if the Lord provides such beauty and splendor for the world to enjoy in something so temporary and meaningless as a wild flower, then surly the Lord will meet the needs of his people in an equally wonderful way. 

Verses 29-30

In verses 29-30, Jesus gave his disciples another challenge. He set before them the will of God for his people. The Lord wants his children to avoid the sickness that comes with setting our eyes on the ups and downs of the world’s desires. 

Verse 31

If we follow the pattern of the world, we will make ourselves sick with worry and anxiety. Knowing this, the Lord provided for his people a new horizon to set our eyes on. 

Listen again to the point upon which the Lord is calling you and I to focus, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

Conclusions

As we follow the teaching and example of Jesus, we will learn the value of the following statements: 

•  As we set our focus on seeking out the things of God, we will stop seeking out the desires of the world. 
•  As we set our focus on God’s will as found in his Word, we will find that his wisdom will guide our choices and hold us fast.
•  As we focus on being disciples of Jesus Christ, looking to him for leadership, we will find that our perspectives will change from being short sighted and selfish to being eternal and others focused. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, help me to meditate on your calling to set my eyes on the horizon of your person, your teachings, your examples, and your eternal perspective. Help me shed my desire to be like the world around me. Help me set my gaze upon you today. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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