What Are You Focusing On?

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”
Philippians 3:13 NLT

Over the past few years there have been a lot of books and articles written on the subject of focus. Much has been said about how important it is to have clearly defined goals and objectives so that you can maintain your focus and be successful. Countless hours and tons of energy have also been put into showing us how distracting our electronic devices are and the fact that they can often lead us away from doing what is called “deep work” (that is work the requires extended concentration). Studies have shown how people are now often unable to think clearly about one topic for expected periods of time without looking at their phones to check messages, emails or just scroll information. Our lack of focus is affecting our driving , relationships, work life and even our physical and emotional state.
The verse that you just read reminds us that it is possible to focus on and grow in becoming more Christ-like. Paul tells us that he isn’t perfect yet, but he gives us a few pointers on how he is walking through each day maintaining focus and how we can as well.
First he tells us to focus on one thing. Any time our attention is split we will find quickly that we become distracted and unable to do anything well. Second, he reminds us to forget the past. None of us are able to change the past; we are only able to learn from it and move on. Our struggle is, we often allow our past to define us and we get stuck there. Lastly, he tells us to keep our eyes on what is before us. What is before us, you ask? If you are a Christ follower, the will and heart of the Father is before us. Paul calls us to focus all our energy on Jesus Christ. If he becomes our soul focus then every other aspect of our lives will fit into its proper place.
So instead of asking “What are you focused on?” I need to ask “Who are you focused on?”

-Pastor Tim