We all have to deal with the fact that sometimes our momentary appetites can interfere with our ultimate desires. Focus can protect your progress. Focus can keep you from wandering off course. This is because as your focus becomes clearer, the distractions of momentary appetites decrease in power and pull.

Our stories suffer from a lack of focus. This is especially true when we see the world through the distorted lenses of fear and hate. This morning, we are talking about regaining our focus by seeing our stories through the lens of faith, where we allow the perspective of eternity to frame our beliefs and behaviors.

Every single one of us has limits. When we live up to and even try to live beyond our limits, our lives are frantic, anxious, and stressed. God invites us to recognize our limits and then take a step back from them so we can live with margin. He invites us to put some space between your load and your limit. We talk in this message about three ancient practices to help us structure our lives with margin.

Jesus talked about the danger of living for the approval and admiration of other people and giving other people power over your life and sense of worth and identity. Theologians call the opposite of this living “Coram Deo,” living “before God.” TThis means living for a singular audience; to live for the approval and for the glory of God alone.