Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas."Need to recharge your batteries? If Wang Chuanfu has his way, you'll soon need to do the same for your car. According to today's Wall Street Journal, the founder and chairman of BYD Co. is the world's second-largest maker of lithium-ion batteries. Now he is set to unveil his electric car at today's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
His venture has already attracted the attention of Warren Buffett and other veteran investors. His invention can go 50-60 miles on a single charge, and has apparently resolved safety issues which have plagued electric cars. We will be seeing more of this technology soon, as the ailing auto industry focuses on electric and hybrid cars. My beloved 1965 Mustang wouldn't have a chance in today's economy.
My soul needs recharging even more frequently than Mr. Wang's invention. Dwight Moody spoke for me when he described himself as a leaky bucket which needs refilling often. In that light, yesterday I came across a statement by Dietrich Bonhoeffer which stopped me in my tracks. In The Cost of Discipleship, the German theologian and martyr asserted: "The life of discipleship can only be maintained so long as nothing is allowed to come between Christ and ourselves—neither the law, nor personal piety, nor even the world. The disciple always looks only to his master, never to Christ and the law, Christ and religion, Christ and the world. He avoids all such notions like the plague. Only by following Christ alone can we preserve a single eye. His eye rests wholly on the light that comes from Christ, and has no darkness or ambiguity about it. . . . Thus the heart of the disciple must be set upon Christ alone. If the eye sees an object which is not there, the whole body is deceived. If the heart is devoted to the mirage of the world, to the creature instead of the Creator, the disciple is lost."
My heart resonates with Bonhoeffer's insight. When I am trying to focus on Jesus and preaching, or teaching, or writing this essay, I lose sight of the One with whom and for whom the work is to be done. When I am focused only on Jesus, I am able to sense his thoughts and speak his truth more fully.
The operative question, then, is how? How do we develop and maintain a singular focus on Jesus in these hectic days? With economic crisis dominating the news, a historic inauguration and political transition just eight days ahead, increasing conflict in the Middle East and turmoil at home, how are we to keep our eyes on Jesus? I've found a guide who wants to help us. Let's meet him and listen to his wisdom, tomorrow."
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