Vol. 6, No. 23 – June 6, 2021
Our Focus Changes Everything
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I, myself should be disqualified. –1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Some people think they are the multi-tasking king/queen of people. It is not a good characteristic. When we do too many things, it always keeps us from doing our best. We are best when we focus our lives. The best way to bring focus into our lives is never to place a question mark where God has inserted a period!
It has been my experience in business and in the church to find that one man or woman with focus constitutes a majority. A person who begins too many things accomplishes too little. Should we desire to accomplish great things for God, attempting to do too many things at once causes us to accomplish less, thus being less effective. Thus leading to a great ineffectiveness and frustration. When Christ’s servant is trying to be everywhere, they are really nowhere.
Lack of focus contributes to a life of painful confusion. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after the wind. –Ecclesiastes 4:6. When we do not have a good reason to make commitments to do certain things, we need to let them alone. You will only bring criticism and trouble to yourself. Stressed over your schedule? It is amazing the amount you can accomplish if you are not caught up in multi-tasking.
Every human mind is a great slumbering power until awakened by a keen specific desire and by definite resolution to do. –Edgar F. Roberts.
Focus is one of the necessary ingredients of character; when one lets this character slip, they become completely unglued in their focus. Without focus one’s creativity is wasted; all one winds up with is effort in a maze of inconsistencies. What we focus our attention upon gives strength and momentum to our ministry under our great God. Focus on the truths and instructions of God’s Word is the secret to the strength of our ministry service, and impacts the world contained in our field of ministry—our neighborhood, our community, our city, our county, our state, and into the nations.
Life Application
Jesus said, So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. –Luke 14:33.
Being a disciple of Christ requires focus. When we walk with focus, we become passionate about our commitment and work for our Savior.
Too many pastors make the mistake of following an old adage – when you find someone in the church that is busy it is a sign of relying on them to take on extra ministry. It is neither productive nor effective. It gains less for the kingdom, and frustrates the one given more tasks to accomplish. It also neglects the very people God called to be a part of the church. Unused, they get dissatisfied and move on to a church that will use their gifts.
The lowest accident rates are due to focus.
When we are focused, we know what we stand for; we also know what we will not stand for. We will probably not be able to accomplish all that we want to do under our Lord; however, we can and should do everything God wants us to do.
Focus is a tremendous character of the believer.
