Out of Focus

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Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Introduction

How many of your have glasses?

What constitutes bad vision?

Poor focus

Without my glasses on, anything more than 4 feet in front of me is out of focus.

I was remind of just how bad my vision is when, during our CCSM beach party, I lost my sunglasses.

Tell the story

Thesis

Reflecting on this, I began to think about how our lives can get out of focus.

What leads to our lives becoming out of focus?

We ignore wise council

Psalm 1:1 “1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”

The Jillian Story

We focus on our wants rather than God’s best.

My good is not equal to God’s best

Instant gratification

Then the big wave comes and we loose our focus.

House built on sand vs. house built on rock.

How often do we find our lives out of focus because the big wave came and it could have been avoided?

What happens when we loose our focus?

We respond emotionally

Anger, fear, panic, etc.

We blame God, debase ourselves, speak ill of others.

We scramble for a solution

We look down at what’s around us and ask how we can fix this rather than looking upward to God.

We stumble

The staircase story

How do we fix our focus?

camera focus analogy

We seek the wisdom of God

Psalm 1:1 “1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”

We put or eyes on him

Psalm 132:2 “2 He made a solemn promise to the Lord. He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,”

Shield my eyes from focusing on worthless things.

Enlighten my eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death.

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Conclusion

Is your life in focus?

Are you tired of crawling around in the dark?

Are you ready to ask him to be a lamp to your feet?