Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:2
"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
Concentration Camp
Put these two words together, and an instant flood of images come pouring forth into our minds. For some, it might be the Jewish holocaust, for others, prisoner of war outposts where horrific things occured on a regular basis. In almost every case, the combination of the words, "concentration", and "camp" bring forth a negative mental image. Today, I would like to challenge you to think differently.
Concentration
In many instances, it is difficult to distinguish the separation between the word, "concentration", and the word, "determination". My son, Sterling, demonstrates great amounts of both whenever he is doing something that is challenging. He sticks his tongue out (I think that's supposed to help him concentrate), and attacks the project, whatever it may be, with the determination of a pit-bull. Once he starts something, rare is the day when he will stop before it's complete.
Such determination is in short supply these days, it seems. We live in a generation that follows the motto: "if it feels good, do it". That manner of thinking leads to the next logical thought: "when the going gets tough... get outta there!" We see this demonstrated time and again in our society, perhaps most noticably in the world-wide divorce rate.
Camp
Again, we must be careful to define terms here, because this is also a word that can lead to several different ideas. However, today, I am thinking of one specific type of camp.
When I was younger, I played basketball. And during the off-season, my friends and I would attend "basketball camp". At these camps, we would do many of the things that made "camping" fun, but we were there for a purpose, and that purpose was to learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball.
Over and over, we would practice things like dribbling, shooting, even running. We'd work for hours, take a break, and then get right back to it. For a week, we'd eat, drink and sleep basketball. It was a place for repetetive practice. And for what purpose? Well... for the purpose of getting it right. We worked over and over on the basics, with the goal of being the best we could be.
This is the type of camp I am thinking of, as I look to God's Word, and see what Paul said of himself:
"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
Paul simply had to be one of the most determined people in recorded history. His life, especially after his conversion on the road to Damascus, was ANYTHING but easy! He went from a position of stature and respect, to a position of humility and adversity, almost overnight. He went from a position of persecuting Christians to a position of Apostleship, and faced many uphill battles in his determination to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And yet, from the position of a humble (yet determined) Apostle, we read of his perspective as he addresses the church at Corinth. Paul is focused! He is determined! His concentration is singularly-minded. And in this one verse, we read, loud and clear, a call to us all!
In our world, it is most difficult to be as focused, and concentrated upon a single issue. We have the day to day activities of life that all seem to beg for a portion of our attention. Whether it's bills, or children, or jobs, or recreational activities... something is always screaming for our focus. Is it possible to not know "any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."?
I believe that the answer is yes. Paul also had many, many things in his world that begged for his attention. But it was his "determination", and repetetive "practice" (Concentration Camp) to filter everything through the most significant event in world history that brought him through!
We too, can demonstrate this determination. But it is not something that we do in and of ourselves. Rather, it is always done "through Christ"! Let's look at God's proof of this principal: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13
You can do it! Through Christ, we all can be as determined, as focused upon the things of Christ, as Paul was. Could you just imagine what might happen if that were the case? Our world would change dramatically, I would think. I'm willing to find out - anyone want to join me?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us of the times that I have lost my focus on You, and Your work in my life. Help me to be determined, even as Paul was determined, to know nothing save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I will give you the glory for all that is accomplished, for the benefit of the Kingdom! This I pray, in Jesus' name, Amen.
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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.
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