Focus For A New Year

      The Gaia Satellite Telescope, which was launched by the European Space Agency in 2013, is in the process of measuring the positions and velocity of approximately one billion stars in our Galaxy within a range of 30,000 light years. This is approximately the distance from our Sun to the center of the Milky way Galaxy. The purpose is to determine the brightness, temperature, composition and motion of these stars as they move through space in order to create a three-dimensional map of the Galaxy. According to ESA, The Gaia telescope will  observe one billion stars about 70 times each over five years. That’s an average of 40 million observations a day! This requires extremely accurate and powerful equipment. This telescope includes a large digital camera with almost one billion pixels, and a telescope that can detect celestial objects that are a million times fainter than the naked  eye can see.

     As we come to a new year, I want to challenge you to be focused. Realize that there is a universe of things that will vie for your attention, time and affections in this new year. I don’t know of a better verse to start the new year than Matthew 5:8 which says: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. In terms of our focus, there is nothing more vital than to know and enjoy God in this coming year as we focus on the mission that he has called us to.
     The key to avoiding all of the doubt, dirt and distraction in life is cultivating this purity of heart. The word purity means clear, clean, and focused. Let Christ be your focus and join his mission of reaching and discipling others. And remember the Gospel in all of this —because Jesus was pure in heart, focused and determined to live and die in our place, we will see God.