What draws our attention, takes our time—and therefore, our life flow. Ultimately, what captures the attention of God’s people also impacts the everlasting destination of people around us.
2 Peter 1:19: “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place”
As prophetic people, our heart‘s desire is to know God intimately, to hear Him clearly, and to obey Him fully (John 8:47a). However, we cannot have intimacy with someone if we are constantly distracted and our attention is elsewhere. This applies to our relationship with Father God—just as it also applies to our close family and friends. In order to have intimacy, we have to be fully present.
If we want to faithfully steward your spiritual gifts, we need to see our attention and our focus as a precious resource (Ps.85:8). Our attention is like our spiritual antenna. If our antenna is not up, and we are not tuned in to God, then we cannot clearly receive and hear what He is saying. The ability and the clarity of the revelation we receive is dependent upon the quality of our intimacy with God.
‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ (2 Cor 3:18) Whatever we gaze upon, we come to resemble. We become like Jesus, glory to glory, when we are focused on Him and His Word. People see the glory of God on us when we have been in God’s Presence and soaking in the Scripture that reflects Who He is.
‘Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’ (John 5:19) Jesus paid attention to what He saw the Father doing: healing, miracles, supernatural signs and transformed lives resulted.
God spoke to the Israelites saying, “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says.” (Exodus 23:20-21a) The Israelites kept their eyes on the pillar of cloud—however today, the One we pay attention to is the Holy Spirit, the Guide, and Teacher who is constantly with us (John 16:12-15). As we respond to the Spirit’s nudges and instructions that come from the heart of the Father, we are enabled to fulfill God’s purposes every day.
Intimate communion with the Holy Spirit—loving Him, being with Him, aligning to His will and desires—brings the anointing of God upon our lives (Galatians 5:25). We are smeared with His anointing, the ‘oil’ of His Presence, as we associate with Him and spend time in God’s presence.
How to Reclaim your Attention for God:
