I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:27)
My wife calls it tunnel vision, or that I am oblivious. She claims I can become so focused on what I am doing that I even miss the call to one of her delicious meals. While this tunnel vision may be one great disadvantage of focusing, the ability to concentrate also has a few advantages. When I devote attention to a subject, it usually ends with accomplishment, success, or improvement. Focus also diminishes distractions and difficulties. The troubles of the world seem to fade away, at least temporarily.
Job faced some of the most difficult times of his life, yet he chose to focus on his Master for a moment. His words hold no distress, no longing for relief, as welcome as that would have been. Job had only a yearning to be present with the Lord God, his God. He focused his faith and expressed peace instead of anxiety. He seemed to forget for the moment that his world had crumbled around him.
We too can focus on our God. We can ponder his great power and his unending love. We can pray to him and listen to him. We can find the comfort of peace in his presence. We can wait in joyful anticipation for that day when, like Job, we will see him face-to-face.
Trust what he is teaching us through his servant Job. We too can see him with our own eyes by focusing intently on the Lord until all else fades away.
Long for the presence of the Redeemer.
Randall A. Forbes is an artist, retired minister, and plant operations director at Kingswood University, as well as a follower of Christ and lover of life.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
