Do you have trouble focusing? By definition, focus is more than just seeing something clearly. It can also mean, getting your mind wrapped around what needs to be done. And if we’re honest, that can sometimes be a difficult task.
Sometimes I wonder why it is so hard for me to focus. But the truth is, circumstances affect my thoughts. The ‘obstacles’ that affect my focus may be external or they may be internal. Externally, we might lose our focus when a truck (or even a bird) is heard outside the window, or the wafting smell of fresh, homemade cookies baking in the kitchen. Even the shadow of a dark cloud covering over the sun can cause my focus to turn toward the skies. Perhaps ‘focus’ is a fragile thing to be swayed by such small factors. Unfortunately our focus is so splinted in life, that we find ourselves focused on so many things that we miss what’s most important. Work, sports, entertainment, even ‘self’ seems to be our focus today. Take a look at your iPhone, how many ‘selfies’ do you have in your photos? You see, we are good at focusing on our self and too often miss the ‘big picture’ (no pun intended.) And since focusing is a Biblical idea, let me ask you to ‘focus’ on and consider the Hebrew writer’s admonitions…
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
We must determine that our focus in life will be on Jesus Christ, the ‘Author and Perfecter’ of our faith. And we must be willing to FIX our focus on Him! When we do that, all the other worldly sensations will cease to ‘allure me’ or compete for my attention. The sounds outside the window, the aromas that entice and the sights that distract can be more easily ignored. Ken Young penned a song (psalm) that takes these words, almost verbatim, and gives us an idea of how we keep our focus on Him.
“Surrounded by those who have traveled this road, we throw off the heavy and hindering load. The sin that entangles (distracts us), we lay it aside and run with our EYES ON THE ONE CRUCIFIED.” Consider Him, who endured such opposition from sinful men. Consider Him, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
There are those who believe the person who is ‘unfocused’ needs to be medicated. Of course they do…have you not read Luke 5:27-32, Jesus IS the great physician. But seriously, the only medication you need if you’re having trouble focusing, is to fix your eyes on Christ. Not the world, not the ‘ladder of success,’ and certainly not your own accomplishments. Throw off the entanglements of the world, and run towards the Savior with your eyes ‘focused’ on Him! We know that in life, you have to run with your ‘eyes on the prize,’ but too often our eyes are on the wrong prize. So what will be your focus…the world or the Christ.
the wafting smell of fresh, homemade cookies baking in the kitchen. Even the shadow of a dark cloud covering over the sun can cause my focus to turn toward the skies. Perhaps ‘focus’ is a fragile thing to be swayed by such small factors. Unfortunately our focus is so splinted in life, that we find ourselves focused on so many things that we miss what’s most important. Work, sports, entertainment, even ‘self’ seems to be our focus today. Take a look at your iPhone, how many ‘selfies’ do you have in your photos? You see, we are good at focusing on our self and too often miss the ‘big picture’ (no pun intended.) And since focusing is a Biblical idea, let me ask you to ‘focus’ on and consider the Hebrew writer’s admonitions…
faith. And we must be willing to FIX our focus on Him! When we do that, all the other worldly sensations will cease to ‘allure me’ or compete for my attention. The sounds outside the window, the aromas that entice and the sights that distract can be more easily ignored. Ken Young penned a song (psalm) that takes these words, almost verbatim, and gives us an idea of how we keep our focus on Him.