Yes sir--when you're holding one of Bingley's throwing-whatchamacallit's, he is one focused fellow. In fact, even before that throwing-thingy leaves your hand, he's off and sprinting at top speed in whatever direction he thinks it might be headed.
He's incredibly focused when it comes to his "people" as well. I'm an early morning exerciser, so most days I'm home before anyone else in the house has gotten going. Which means that, at least in the early a.m., I'm the only game in town as far as Bingley's concerned. Consequently, he's extremely focused upon and watching for my return. (Nice to feel wanted--at least for a few minutes each morning.)
Here's how it goes down--
When I arrive home and get out of the car, I can see the top of his little black head at our front dining room window--he's been carefully watching for my car to drive up. (You have to look closely as it's pretty difficult to identify Mr. B--a combo of my crummy photography skills and our dog's rather hard-to-see color--but he's there in the bottom left of the picture...waiting and waiting patiently--
Mr. Bingley has got him some serious focus.
How about you?
This fast paced, technological world we live in most definitely does not encourage focus.
Go out to eat and notice how many folks cannot make it three minutes without checking their phones. Even as I type, my computer alerts me to another email. It whispers to me, "Quick--better check that!" Geez--ninety-nine percent of the time it's yet another groupon for more items I do not want and most certainly do not need. And oops. What's that? The oven just pinged to remind me to go take out the chocolate chip cookies...and better check the buzzing dryer and get the clothes out before they wrinkle...right after I run to answer that ringing doorbell (sure wouldn't want to miss the beloved UPS fellow)...which reminds me I need to order that book from Amazon...after I write that note to a dear friend...and wrap up the book we're giving them with the note...which reminds me of another friend I saw on the greenway that I need to call about getting together...and speaking of walking on the greenway, why is Bingley whining?...after I let him out, I realize I need to vacuum the den rug which is nicely "decorated" with his shiny black fur (doesn't look quite as lovely on the floor as it does on Mr. B). Finally, after returning the vacuum cleaner to the closet, I'm pondering "Now where on earth was I and what might I have been doing??"
Yeah, focus.
If we want to accomplish anything in life, we need some focus. And if we want to not just start things but finish them, we need focus. But most importantly, if we want to live each day with purpose, hope and joy, well then we desperately need focus.
Because here's the thing: the moment we lose focus on the eternal and the important, we'll be distracted and then discouraged by all the minutia of the temporary, worldly and ultimately far less important. No wonder we get overwhelmed with all we have to do--we've lost sight of the ultimate and instead are mired in the urgent.
For example, pursuing a relationship with the God of the universe who loves us extravagantly--important. Posting on facebook or instagram--not so important.
Reading, meditating upon, and even memorizing the words of the eternal, sovereign Lord--important. Reading and trying that new recipe or rushing to pick up that dry cleaning--not quite so important.
Worshipping, enjoying, and talking with the beautiful Savior who died for our sins--important. Worrying about work--or, for that matter, worrying about anything--not terribly important, or helpful.
Loving and serving the people God has placed in your path--important. Loving and being enslaved by all those possessions in your life--well duh, not important.
So what's the solution? Focus...Christ...moment by moment.
We are to focus on Christ. He is our North Star. He is our Cornerstone. He is our Pearl of greatest price.
If we'll look to the Lord and His Word, all the rest of life will regain it's proper perspective...and we'll discover peace even in the tempest, confident certainty even in crazy confusion, and joyous hope even in sorrow and disappointment.
It's so simple, yet sometimes so challenging, isn't it? Look to Jesus and keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him and His Word.
Paul says: "I consider everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ." (Phil.3:8) "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind [can't change it, can we? Put it behind you!] and straining forward to what lies ahead [Jesus! Glory! Joy! Heaven!], I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:13-14)
Hebrews explains it this way: "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Heb.12:2,3)
When we're battling discouragement (and who doesn't?)--look to Jesus. When we're worried and fearful--look to Jesus. When we're uncertain or upset--look to Jesus.
Practically what does that mean? We consciously take our eyes and move them away from whatever it is we're fixated upon that has us fainthearted or frustrated, and put our eyes back upon Jesus. We talk to our hearts--"Heart, stop looking at such and such and look at the Lord, high and lifted up!" We preach to our souls--a thousand times a day if necessary--"Remember Christ! Think of the Gospel! Ponder His promises!"
Nobody talks to you more than you. So preach it! Tell yourself to replace worry...discouragement...fear...materialism...whatever...with Him.
You have the choice today as to where you will focus.
Life or death. Christ or the world. The important or the urgent.
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Choose.
Choose today.
Choose right this minute--
Upon whom or what will you focus? Whom or what will you serve...because wherever you focus, that's where you'll be headed. And that's what you'll serve.
"As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand minor problems will be solved at once." (A.W. Tozer)
Don't fixate on the problem...focus on the perfect Savior.
How about we make a deal--because I surely need this reminder as much or more than any of the rest of you. Let's continually encourage one another--focus on Christ. Keep looking to Jesus. Continue reading His Word. Persist in meditating on His promises.
Choose Christ...His Word...and Life...today.
To God be the glory.
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