We arrived late in Caen, France, but after putting our suitcases into our hotel, we decided to take a walk through the old city. Not too far from where we were staying was a huge fortress, constructed around 1060, by William the Conqueror. We climbed up onto the walls, arriving at the top just in time to see the sky light up with the beautiful colours of the setting sun. We may have arrived late in town, but we were just in time to see the sunset!

Although the fortress was majestic in and of itself, we were much more attracted to the beautiful image painted by the sun. We rushed through the fortress, hoping to be able to climb the western wall, the one that faced the North Sea. Unfortunately however, pedestrians were not allowed in this particular part of the fortress.

But it didn’t really matter. Just by looking into the sky we could imagine the splendid sundown over the ocean.

Too often, our focus becomes riveted on our problems. When we focus only on our adversities, they always seem to loom much larger than they truly are. If only we could learn to have a vision for God, and only for Him, then our problems would truly shrink down to nothing. In all reality, do we even remember what we worried about last year? What about last month? Or last week?

Jesus had a vision for God, and that vision filled His whole life on earth, to the point that He could declare:

“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:38-40, NIV2)

Imagine if our agendas became secondary to God’s primary vision. How would our lives become transformed? We would be happier, for one thing. We would be at peace with ourselves, and as for those worries … Just what would there to be worried about?

The only problem is that our ego gets in the way. Even though we deny it, we desire to be in charge. But sooner or later we begin to realize that we can’t be in control of everything. Imagine all the worries we would have if we did!

If we are willing to live solely for God, however, letting Him be in control of our lives, what a difference this would make to our happiness. And what a difference it would make in other people’s lives! Look at how many people were attracted to Jesus! All because He lived to do the will of His Father!

Notice the consequences of such living according to John 6:38-40. Jesus thought only about the welfare of others! Not Himself!

Just like we weren’t able to directly see the sun setting over the North Sea in Caen, people may not be able to directly see God’s glory. Nonetheless, just like the parts of the sky we could see were illuminated with magnificent colour, we can reflect God’s glory to those around us. That will make people hunger for God!

Do we, as followers of Jesus, truly follow in the tracks Jesus left for us? Do we always set our will aside and put God’s will foremost in all of our actions? Do we love like Jesus loves? Are we striving with all of our hearts to be one with all fellow believers as Jesus urged us to do? After all, we can’t be His followers on our own terms. Jesus is our example: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15, NIV2)

If someone were to compare us to the sky, would they see us as a hurricane, a thunder storm, a cloudy sky or as an attractive sundown?

Where did I leave my camera? Ahhhh . . . Those worries!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Only in Jesus” devotional series, please click here.)