I Only Have Eyes for You

Whisper of God -
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side.
(Acts 7:55 MsgB)

Observation -
Stephen had been chosen to serve as one of the deacons in the early church. He and the others were picked because they were all known to be full of the Holy Spirit.
We quickly find out just how much Stephen was filled with the Spirit as he is dragged out by and angry mob. The Spirit directs Stephen's words as he gives his defense. He recounts the history of the people of Israel and how God had worked among them. Yet the point of all this was to show how Israel had always rejected God. Whenever God would speak through one of the prophets the people would not listen. Instead they killed the prophets.
His words further outraged the mob. Rather than being convicted of their sin in their hearts, they did what their ancestors had done. The stoned Stephen to death.
As the stones began beating against Stephen his focus was not on the mob, their angry words or the pain he felt. Instead Stephen's focus was on God.

Real Life Application -
I am too easily distracted by trivial things. I need to be filled more and more with the Holy Spirit making so I too only have eyes for Jesus.

Day's Prayer -
Lord Jesus you know all the difficulties that challenge me. You know how easily I can become critical, how quickly I focus on the problem. Fill me with your Spirit afresh and anew today. May I only have eyes for you.