Today we will look at what it means to be focused in our walk with God.
The definition for the word focus is the center of interest of activity; to concentrate attention or effort; to pay particular attention; a central point or point of concentration.
Synonyms for focus are, to fasten, center, train, concentrate, rivet.
These terms all point to keeping keen track of an object of importance or interest. They all indicate undistracted attention or concentration on something, or someone deemed significant, substantial, or vital.
This quality, like fervency, distinguishes between the nominal Christian and those that have their gaze set upon pleasing God and fulfilling
His will. Those who are focused have chosen to set their minds on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-2).
They have made it a practice to keep their minds stayed upon the Father and Christ, and to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading (Hebrews 5:14). This requires consistent discipline. But with practice it can become a normal godly habit.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
What would the world be like if all Christians were focused on serving God, glorifying Him, and obeying His word? Can you fathom how this would usher in a global awakening that would bring millions to Christ and revolutionize nations for the glory of God?
You and I both know that is currently not the case. There are so many distractions around us every day, and if we are not watchful, our preoccupation with them will sidetrack us from fulfilling our destiny and purpose. This has a ripple effect on the Body of Christ because when we are distracted, something is missed, left undone, or lost.
Spiritually Minded
5) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8
In order to walk in the Spirit and complete God’s will for our lives, we must all become more focused on the Lord, His Spirit, and leading.
He’s worthy of our full commitment, surrender, loyalty, dedication,
and service.
There is a battle in staying focused on the Lord and His ways. The natural mind wants to be in control and wander from God’s purposes. That is why the scripture commands us to cast down imaginations
and every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
(2 Corinthians 10:1-3).
This is a lifelong battle (Galatians 5:16-17) because we live in these frail human bodies that must always be harnessed and brought under submission (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
The scripture admonishes us to:
16) Rejoice always,
17) Pray without ceasing,
18) In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19) Do not quench the Spirit.
20) Do not despise prophecies.
21) Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22) Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
And to,
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2
18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:18-20
Just doing those things should greatly refine our focus and enhance our walk with the Lord. Doing these things requires intentionality and our full cooperation and attention.
12) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15) Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind.... Philippians 3:12-15
Two things we can notice from this passage. First, Paul realized he had not been perfected. Secondly, he was not looking back but focused on attaining the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. His mind was set. His gaze was focused. His heart posture was fixed. He was building his life on the revelation of God’s word (Matthew 7:24-25).
Although the apostle Paul suffered greatly at the hands of his persecutors, his focus was pleasing God, no matter the cost. His gaze was upon the things of the Spirit of God and heavenly realities.
17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Do you find yourselves being distracted from your God given purpose, even when life is not as difficult as Paul’s? Are you distracted from serving the Father with all of your heart? Are you caught up with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
(Matthew 13:22)?
In today’s fast paced, social media frenzied, and chaotic environment, it is easy to become distracted and to lose focus… unless you have made a firm decision to love and serve God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. There is no other way to stay the course.
Someone might think, “Well, maybe I should quit my job or close my business to be more focused on the things of God.” Not so! Being a good employee or business owner does not mean you are caught up with the world. Paul had a tent making business (Acts 18:3) to support his ministry, but his focus was on the Kingdom of God. He labored as unto the Lord, keeping the Lord in the center of everything he did.
Distractions Can Be Deadly
When Eve took her eyes off the commandment of God, in the garden of Eden, she became distracted with the lie of the devil and partook of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Her distraction introduced sin, suffering, and death into the world and cost her greatly (Genesis 3:1-7).
One last example of costly distraction is also found in the book of Genesis. When Lot and his family were told to leave Sodom by the angels of God, they were strictly forbidden to look back. However, Lot’s wife did not obey that instruction and was turned into a pillar of salt.
So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed." Genesis 19:17
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26
Would you have looked back? It is hard to say, but we can look at our lives today and probably gauge what we might have done under the same circumstances.
Why did she look back? What was so important that she could not stay focused on safely getting out of the city with her family?
Are we self-willed and obstinate about doing God’s will and focused on our own goals and pleasures? If so, we probably would have disobeyed as she did.
Hopefully, like me, you want your life to be focused on obeying the Lord. I certainly have not arrived, but I have left the station. I give the Father full permission to draw me closer to Him, and to keep my heart focused on His plan for my life. In the end, our greatest joy will be to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” “Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Here is a partial list of things we can do to help us stay focused.
1. Keep an attitude of prayer throughout the day.
2. Give thanks to the Father for His blessings in our lives, from a beautiful sunrise or sunset to a parking spot at the front of the grocery store.
3. Be in fellowship with other believers and sharing what God is saying and doing in our lives.
4. Fasting and turning off the distractions of the world. Even fasting one or two meals and spending it seeking God can help regain our focus (This step might need medical supervision if you struggle with certain medical conditions).
5. Praying in the Spirit continually.
6. Reading and meditating upon God’s word.
7. Sharing Christ’s love with the lost and others in the Body of Christ.
This life is short. We only get to do this once. Let’s stay focused.
Our next post will examine what it means to be fruitful. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 12/05/2024