When you ask someone to describe their passions, whatever they tell you is what’s most important in their lives. If you were to observe closely what people talk about, how their money is spent, or even what they fill their calendars with, it gives us a window into what fills them with joy and passion.

Spend time with a sports fan, and you may hear about the season, trades, and predictions. Talk with a hobbyist, and you may discover something interesting you knew little about. Sit with someone passionate about health, and you may learn about the practices and routines that have helped them reach their goals.

Being passionate isn’t a bad thing! God has given us dreams and gifts so that we find enjoyment in life. But passion is a byproduct of focus, and the more we focus on something, the more we get full of that thing. And even good interests can at times make it harder to notice what matters most.

God wants to help shift our focus onto Him. Why? Yesterday, we read Ephesians 1:15-17, ending with Paul’s prayer: “...so that you may know him better.” He continues that prayer in verse 18:

The throne of our hearts can be fickle, dethroning the rightful Ruler for lesser things if we aren’t careful. Paul wrote about a hope that belongs on that throne, an inheritance richer than anything else, found only through Jesus.

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

The way to win our race in life is to fix our eyes on Jesus and what He did on the cross. When we do this, we experience what the classic hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” says, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Ask yourself today, “What is keeping me from knowing Him better? Where do I need to shift my focus?”