Most people like Jesus’s teaching, his deeds of kindness and power, and his example. What many don’t like and won’t is his Lordship. If he would have conformed to the expectations and polls of the Pharisees, Sadducees, or even the Roman government they would have liked and celebrated him as a religious or civic hero. He remained true to who he was. As I wrote Monday, Jesus is not only my Lord and Savior; he is my hero. He was true to who he was, the son of God. He was focused on what he came to do.

Jesus knew how to focus! He wasn’t distracted by religious or political trivia. When family members tried to involve him in their squabbles, he remained focused. He had come to save us from our sins. He endured the tortures of the scourging and the crucifixion because he was determined to fulfill the will of the Father for us.

Many people have spoke of how painful it was to watch the re-enactment of what the scourging and crucifixion was like in the movie the Passion of Christ. Opinion pieces in some newspapers and websites were incensed by the scenes. They failed to recognize the horror of sin and the terrible price for our redemption. Jesus recognized it though.

Grit is the ability to remain focused, persevere, and pursue what you were called to do. What gave Jesus the strength, the ability to remain focused, the power to pray for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying him, and even while dying on the cross to forgive a dying thief? It was spiritual grit! Guts, resilience, integrity, and tenacious. “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)

What are you focused on like a laser in life?

What is your mission in life?

If you could only achieve one thing this year, what would it be? Focus on that.

Who are you investing in?

Who around you wants to learn from you or perhaps you know someone you would like disciple or mentor? Focus on them.

Do you understand that you don’t have to be rich to be generous with your time, friendship, talent, strengths, skills or financial resources?

It will take loving, spiritual GRIT to grow a marriage, build a family, and serve others. You have all the resources of heaven available to you through Christ. Don’t underestimate that!

One more thing, Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 NLT

I just read a book by Hal Donaldson, Your Next 24 Hours. Hal said, “You have the power to help others just simply by walking with them. … Think about the selfless people who walked with you when you needed a friend.” Who can you help or invest some time in in the next 24 hours.

Peace!