Focus

   Let’s return to the freeways of Southern California once more to draw the picture of walking with the Spirit.
   California SR 110 north from US 101 to Pasadena is the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway, the first freeway in the United States.  It is a winding, up and down thrill ride through the hills and arroyos north of LA city limits.  (Fifty-five mph on the 110 feels like 80 on nearly every other freeway.)  One of the ways SR 110 reveals that it is the nation’s oldest freeway is the length of its on and off ramps.  An off ramp’s yellow-orange speed limit sign that says “5 mph” or “10 mph” isn’t communicating a suggested speed.  Those signs are a command to obey unless one is driving a Porsche or Ferrari.
    The on ramp to SR 110 from Avenue 60 uses Shults Street.  It is a residential street a block in length, with a stop sign at the “T” with Arroyo.  On the other side of Arroyo is the 110 on ramp…all of 30, maybe 40 yards in length!
   That Avenue 60 on ramp to the 110 requires a different tactic than what is used for nearly every other SoCal freeway.  Those who use the ramp regularly stop at Arroyo.  When the intersection is clear, they stomp on the gas, cross the intersection and make the 90° right hand-turn onto the ramp.  Their focus is not on the traffic, rather, they give the speedometer all their attention until the car reaches 55 mph.  These drivers also presume that the renowned courtesy and tolerance of LA drivers will create space for another car entering the parkway.
   When describing how to live by the Spirit, Paul gives this understanding: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  (Romans 8:5-6 ESV, emphasis added)
   Like the focus on the speedometer by the driver who gets into the 110 freeway “flow,” the believer who lives by the Spirit is focused on the things of the Holy Spirit.  Living life by the Spirit is about a transformation of the focus of the believer.  The more the focus is on the things of the Spirit, the more the believer will live by the “flow” of the Spirit.
   We naturally focus on the flesh.  Our enemies, Satan and his forces, constantly seek to distract us with the things of the flesh.  In 1 John, the things of the flesh are summed up as the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and boastful pride of life.  While focusing on the flesh is easy and attractive, it brings death.  The things of the Spirit, however, bring life and peace.
   What are those “things of the Spirit” on which the believer is to focus?
   More to come!