Focus...focus

I've been thinking lately about what is really important in life.  I feel we can often get tangled up in so many things, important as they may be, that just aren't the thing.  In Revelation 2 Jesus writes this to the church at Ephesus:


  “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: these are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place."

This passage speaks to me, even haunts me, all the time. It has had significant meaning in my life because it reminds me to focus on the one thing that is worthy for us to be living for. I have a friend back in Maryland that I grew up with, he was the type of guy that everyone thought was gonna do great things with his life, and he wanted to. But somewhere along the way he got caught up in stuff of this life. I was there with him for awhile, but by the grace of God I was saved from that lifestyle. What I am trying to get across is that we have to focus on why we're here. This life has a lot to offer, but in the end what Christ wants from your life is your love and devotion to Him. Don't let the other stuff get in the way.

The friend I mentioned is now at a Bible school in the D.C. metropolitan area and he's doing very well, but it was only after he got the stuff in his life that was distracting him that he was able to fully follow Christ. What is holding you back?