Day 6 was all about focus. Where is your focus–on the small things or on Jesus? Don't get distracted by the Mona Lisas in life. Turn around and look at Jesus.
It’s the last day of TeenStreet (TS) 2019! For the final Main Hall session, Cecil and Ron started with a quick overview of the lessons learnt this past week. The reminder was a great way to look back on the week and be inspired by God.
Day 1: Wisdom (godly vs. human). Day 2: Trust (being aware that God loves us). Day 3: Influence (guarding our hearts). Day 4: Involve (we are being sent out to have an impact). Day 5: Power (our words have an impact). Today’s focus (Day 6) was Focus (seeing situations from God’s perspective).
Cecil was also back in the Inspire Café with Gabi (20, Brazil) from the TS band. While everyone sees Gabi’s energy and excitement on stage, very few people knew that she suffered a brain stroke that left her with brain trauma. While relearning basic things like walking, she found a way to focus on God.
“I started writing my own worship songs,” she shared. “Whatever I was doing, I was talking to God. I’d say things like: ‘Hey, God. I’m opening this closet. What will I wear today?’”
During her recovery, she found comfort and strength in Ephesians 4:6: "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (NIV)
“We know He is our Father, above all of us,” Gabi explained. “But sometimes we need to be reminded that He is inside us, and you can talk to Him even about the simple things.” No matter what is happening in your life, God is always with you.
Rachel told the story from 2 Kings 6 that gave a great example of seeing things from God’s perspective. Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the king’s army, yet Elisha saw that they were not alone in this otherwise desperate situation.
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." – 2 Kings 6:16 (NIV)
Elisha prayed that his servant would see, and he did. He was able to see the spiritual reality of the situation. The invisible became visible.
“What’s going on in your life that you cannot see?” Rachel asked. “If God allowed you to see the spiritual reality of a situation, what would you see?”
In considering how we can have a godly perspective, Rich gave a four-step process to help us.
1. Ask God to open our eyes (seeing from God’s perspective can change everything).
2. Trust (we are part of a bigger picture that God is putting in place).
3. Know that it’s about God, not you (this helps our perspective about life; our purpose is to glorify God).
4. Focus on Jesus (not the distractions in life).
Living in Paris, Rich and Rachel have visited the Louvre several times. They've seen many people crowding around a small painting of the Mona Lisa while very few observed a massive painting of Jesus at the last supper on the opposite wall. How easily we can get distracted by the Mona Lisas of life. We need to turn around and look at Jesus.
In Game Time, Albania and Romania faced off in a relay race. Each runner had to wear a pair of silly goggles that distorted their vision and required them to focus more.
Ron closed Main Hall by reminding us of the theme verse for TS 2019. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
And just like dancers ‘spot’ when they’re spinning, we need to remain focused on a point (Jesus) while spinning through life.
What the teens said
"When the band members say something about the songs or about Jesus between the songs, it really touches my heart. Two of my friends actually ended up inviting Jesus into their hearts because of what they said." – Tirza (13, Netherlands)
"We need to put our trust and focus on Jesus to have a better life. The people on stage have inspired me during this week, especially Ron and Rich and the coach stories." – Benjamin (17, Germany)
"The Bible helps me keep focused. I use reading plans to study the Bible." – Yanniki, (17, Germany)