"Changing Our Focus" – March 30, 2003 – Numbers 21:4-9

Now that the nation is at war with Iraq the media has been bombarding us with images. They are also providing constant coverage with guest consultants, journalists and many others as they discuss the endless scenarios that have to do with the conflict. Some people are complaining that the war coverage is interrupting their favorite television programs. There was even a debate as to whether or not the NCAA Basketball tournament should be postponed.

One afternoon I was watching the news on a cloudy day. The window was open and I noticed the sun had come out. It got my attention, so I went to the window and noticed that the grass is turning green. I saw crocuses and robins in the backyard. Since the signs of spring got my attention I turned off the television.

Rather than focus on the war I focused my attention to the signs of spring. It made me realize how easy it is to be consumed with the conflict and how something like a war makes us forget that there are still many things happening in the world. A change of focus can be very liberating, especially when we focus on the bigger picture.

Moses had a similar problem with the Israelites. They had been complaining about their journey in the wilderness. They complained because they had no water. (20:2) They complained because of the "evil" they had been exposed to. (20:5) There was no place to grow crops. (20:5) And, they complained about the lack of food. They were impatient, they were uncomfortable and so they griped.

Their journey also included some difficult obstacles. They were refused the right of way through Kadesh. The leader there, Edom, said they would have to take an alternate route. They took a bypass which led them to Mt. Hor. Unfortunately it was there where Aaron died. While they were grieving over his loss they then clashed with the Canaanites. Some of the Israelites were taken captive. In response they destroyed some of their cities.

The plight of the Israelites and the obstacles they incurred were not a whole lot different than what the coalition forces are facing in Iraq. They have been encountering far greater resistance than they anticipated. Like the Israelites experienced there have been Americans taken captive. Casualties and the loss of aircraft is higher than people expected. Consequently there is grumbling back home since many people expected the takeover of Iraq to be a cakewalk.

The Israelites continued on their journey which took them by the Red Sea. At that point they were becoming impatient and "spoke against God." No food, no water and deplorable conditions made them rebel. In response to their rebelliousness, God caused fiery serpents (snakes) to bite them. The snake bit Israelites then went to Moses for help. "We have sinned," they proclaimed and therefore asked Moses to ask God for relief.

Moses then made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. He told them to look at the snake on the poll and they would be saved. The Israelites focused toward the snake on the poll and that protected them from getting bit. Instead of looking down, they looked up. They looked past their griping and focused on the bigger picture. Their suffering ended because they had directed their thoughts toward God.

What this illustrates for us is that first, faith in God can satisfy us when we focus on God rather than the little things in life that irritate us. This is a real lesson for the church. How often do we become consumed with pettiness and give our attention to little things rather than be focused on our mission?

Secondly, faith in God can heal us. There was no more snake biting. The pain of the Israelites had been relieved. Think how smoothly the church would run if people would quit griping and criticizing. Feelings would not be hurt and there would be reconciliation since folks would make an effort to cooperate with others.

Third, faith in God will be enhanced when people turn away from their problems and turn toward God. That of course requires action. It means we must turn, look and focus. To have faith is to turn from our ills and turn to the One who is the source of life. To have faith is to look and open our eyes to the presence of God. To have faith is to focus, adjust our lenses and see more clearly.

There was an article in the Sidney Daily News this week from the Associated Press. It was entitled, "Sailors tune away as war news turns complicated." Sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt had been watching the war coverage on television. Constant news from Iraq was wearing on them, especially the news of American soldiers being killed. Once the reality of the war set in and they realized it was going to last longer than expected they began turning the channel to basketball games and movies. To keep their spirits lifted up they are focusing on other things rather than the war.

Anytime we focus in an alternative direction we open ourselves to new realities and the greater realm of the creator. Whenever we are consumed by something we become narrow in our thinking and limited in our ability to see the bigger picture.

It wasn’t the bronze serpent the Israelites were focused on, it was a greater power beyond. Since the snake (now bronze and harmless) had been immobilized, the Israelites could see beyond and focus totally on God.

It just so happens that the actions of Moses are referred to by Jesus in the gospel of John. (John 3:14) Jesus tells Nicodemus, that when he is lifted up (on the cross) people will be focused on him for their salvation. Not that they become fixated on the cross, but that they see beyond to the resurrection.

Nicodemus and Jesus were having a discussion about the meaning of being "born again." Being born again is about change, about refocusing. Perhaps you need to change the way you think, the way you live or the way you act. Perhaps you have an old habit you need to break or a compulsive behavior that is consuming your energy if not your life. The way to change is to turn toward God. First turning, then looking, then focusing on the Almighty.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio