Get Focused or Become Fascinated

I came across two verses in the book of Hebrews (NIV) that instructs us to “fix.”  The first one says we are to fix our thoughts on Jesus.  “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Heb 3:1)  And, the second one says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)

One definition of the word fix as a verb says to direct attention, or focus, to concentrate – to focus one’s thoughts.  When I picture someone trying to focus or concentrate on something, I see a person with their eyes closed tightly and their nose a little wrinkled.  This seems like hard work to me.  When I try really hard to focus on something (like Jesus) – I am more aware of other stuff that wants to get through while focusing.  Am I the only one who has to deal with this?  I call that head noise.   This powerful head noise has a way of disrupting our focus (concentration) and more often than not also succeeds in discouraging us.  It makes it hard to  continue concentrating when this happens.

I suggest a substitute word for focus and that is the word fascinate.  Fascinate is also a verb which means … to cause to be interested or curious, to capture the attention or imagination of; to excite the curiosity of; to engage the interest of.  I believe this is a more powerful word than focus because when one becomes fascinated with something or someone, the head noise is stopped before it ever gets started on its path of disruption and discouragement.  I am reminded of little children when they are fascinated with a story on television (or anything for that matter).  Almost everything around them has a way of going on without them ever noticing a thing.  They are oblivious to everything else except that which has captured their attention.  I wonder if that is what the Scripture means when it says we are to “fix our thoughts and eyes” upon Jesus.  What would it mean to us and what would be the impact on our lives if we really became fascinated with Jesus in the same way?