Focus

​Stephen is the project manager for a large construction company. Currently his job is to oversee the creation of a new apartment complex.  Ed, a close friend, asked if he would be willing to be the Scout Master for the Boy Scout chapter in their town.  Because Stephen has three sons, two of whom were involved in the Scouting program, he was very interested in the offer.  His wife, Rachel, who is in charge of their church’s children ministry, asked him if he would be willing to take responsibility for building a new children’s wing—a worthy project that would really help the church.  Four of his college friends have put together a softball team and they would like Stephen to pitch, a position he excelled in both high school and college.  Stephen is feeling overwhelmed.  While he would love to do all of the above, he knows this would be unwise and probably unhealthy.  What should he do?  ​

Meditation
2 Chronicles 34:1,2--Josiah was eight years old when he became king and reigned 31 years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the Lord’s sight and walked in the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left.
 
Sam T. Manoogian defines focus as “reflected in the capacity to identify and devote the majority of your time and energy to the ‘critical few’ objectives and issues while still managing to deal with the ‘important many.’”  Focus is an essential skill that we must possess and protect if we intend to accomplish our vision.  King Josiah evidently understood this.  For 31 years he concentrated on doing what was right in God’s sight—an amazing accomplishment given the track record of most of Judah and Israel’s kings. 
In his book What’s Shaking Your Ladder, Samuel R. Chand shares an acrostic an unnamed pastor created. 
F=First things first
O=Other things second
C=Cut out the unimportant   
U=Unify behind the vision
S=Stick with it
Identify and eliminate the distractions or interests that compete for your time and prevent you from excelling in what God has called you.  Focus on what is most needed.  
​
Psalm 119:37 says, “Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.”   The author of Hebrews advised:
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Himendured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne” (12:1,2).   
The key to focusing is to ask the right questions: Will this activity or commitment keep my eyes on Jesus?  Will this pursuit or endeavor help me be more successful in accomplishing my vision and faithful to what I believe is most important? Be focused!  
 
Inspiration
Most people are like an octopus on roller skates—a whir of activity with no direction. They spend their lives attracted to their distractions. They’re focused on what interests them, not on what they can impact.—John Addison
 
©2019 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)