Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He Himself shall straighten your paths
Proverbs 3: 5-6, Concordant Old Testament
They're known as some of the best pilots in the world. I have seen many performances of the United States Navy Blue Angels in my lifetime. Each time more exciting than the last. Who wouldn't be amazed by the sight of six supersonic fighter jets flying sometimes within inches of each other. In a recent interview, Blue Angels commander Adam "Gilligan" Bryan was asked the question which so many people, including myself, have often wondered. How is it that six of the Navys fastest and most agile jet fighters can continuously fly in such close proximity to each other without a major incident? Bryan summed it up with a quote from a recent airshow. As the Blues taxied out to takeoff for another show, Bryan's slot pilot, Lt Cmdr Wes Perkins, spoke the words which every Blue Angels pilot lives by, "Eyes on you, Boss." This is how they train, eyes focused on the lead aircraft. Whatever the flight lead does in the moment is often mimicked by those in close formation. Nowhere else is this strict attention to detail illustrated than in the 1982 crash involving four T-38 Talon aircraft of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds over Indian Springs, Nevada. While practicing a diamond loop formation, the four aircraft literally followed their flight lead straight into a crash without wavering. Their attention obviously focused closely on each and every movement of the leader. I was thinking the other day on how it is that we, as believers, all too often are called upon to focus our eyes not upon what we see, but to focus our faith on Christ. The author of Hebrews speaks to our looking to Jesus, "The founder and perfector of our faith" {To the Hebrews 12:2}. Indeed, what good is our faith in Jesus if our eyes are not focused upon Him? But how is it that we see Jesus? Do we look upon Him simply as someone who has punched out ticket to heaven? Or, as I have learned, do we look upon Jesus as our source of life and all we are? The apostle has spoken to the truth that all has come into being through Christ {Johns Account 1:1-5}. As believers, we realize that we have been created in the image of the Father {Genesis 1:27}. The obvious conclusion is that Jesus has always been an intimate part of who we are.
And He is the head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first, for in Him the entire compliment delights to dwell
Paul to the Colossians 1: 18-19, Concordant New Testament
The apostle Paul has spoken to the truth that Jesus is the head of His church, the ecclesia {Paul to the Colossians 1:18}. As such, our focus should be upon Him as the head of the church of Christ Jesus. Like those pilots focused on those around them, our own eyes should be centered upon the source of our life in Him {Johns Account 14:20}. Focused on our knowing that without Him, we are left with nothing. Focused upon the truth that without Jesus, we would have endured that punishment which He, being innocent, took upon Himself because of His love for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. Indeed, our eyes should not be focused on this world, but on He who has overcome the world {Johns Account 16:33}. Yet too many times our eyes become blinded by what we see rather than what it is we know in our hearts. During their flight demonstrations, a loss of concentration can lead to disaster for the pilots of the Blue Angels. It is that laser focus that enables them to perform in the way which they do. It is also our focus upon Christ Jesus that enables us to overcome what the world sets before us. We do well to remember that this life has never been ours to live, but the extension of Christ in Whom we live. That is our focus.
~Scott~
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