Where are You Looking?

January 31, 2008 Devotional Verses - John 21:20-21

This is a real life issue for me and I suspect, for most Christians, as they interact with other believers within the Church, It's easy to get all caught up with what others are doing and lose your focus on doing what God has called you to do. Put more simply; it is easy to get so busy with other people's business that you neglect your own.

In the two verses preceding today's (John 21:18-19), Jesus had prophesized Peter's martyrdom. We know that every Christian who truly follows Christ is subject to persecution. Today, throughout the world we are witnessing growing numbers of murders, kidnappings, assaults and threats to Christians. In today's reading, Jesus' remarks to Peter cause Peter to ask, "What about John? What will happen to Him?" Jesus says nothing about John but simply tells Peter, "You follow Me." Sounds like Jesus was saying to Peter, "What is that to you? You just need to follow me!"

As I reflected on this devotional reading, my prayer is that I will not become overly concerned about how God blesses or uses other people or what gifts he gives them or how "well" they are serving in the Kingdom's work. I pray that I will just focus on doing what God has called me to do and always be available to others as needed.

Bob Smith,
Elder