I Must Focus!

Today I was checking out a new blog and was excited to find one dealing with focus. “Yes – that’s for me!” I thought. There are so many projects I need to work on, yet most days I see very little progress. I’ve suspected the culprit is lack of focus, so I sincerely sought inspiration and instruction.


The author began with a definition of focus – “to pay attention, to clarify, to concentrate.” It was right about here that my attention was diverted by my cell phone. No, it didn’t ring. I just happened to remember that I needed to turn the ringer down so it wouldn’t disturb my husband’s sleep.

Got that done. After re-reading the first definition, I continued on to find a second … Oops! Interrupted again – this time it was my husband’s cell phone. I heard the funky music ringing faintly from the bedroom where he was supposed to be sleeping. Poor guy – awakened from his sleep by a telemarketer. Ugh. I brought his phone to the table where I was working.

Now, where was I? Oh, right –a second meaning of the word “focus,” this time as a noun – the center, that which holds my attention. Hmmm, right then I had to admit that nothing seemed to be holding my attention.

The blog entry finished with Scripture passages - the first one,

Phil. 3:13 “ … forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.“ (ESV)

 I found during my third reading of this same verse, trying desperately to focus, that my mind had somehow wandered to my desire to bake chocolate chip cookies. Shaking off the strong urge to grab a bowl and spoon, I tried a fourth time - Stop! The race was put on hold as I stopped to jot down a note – Return movies TODAY!!

Alright, I was now ready to return to my task at hand. Shoot! I had tried to ignore it, but it kept peeking at me from behind my laptop. I had forgotten to clear the table of breakfast dishes, and there it sat - a plate full of toast crumbs begging to be cleaned. “Well, you’ll just have to sit and wait,” I silently ordered. “I must focus!”

My declaration, however, seemed to ring hollow. I felt hopeless, as I inwardly whined and sort of prayed, “Why can’t I focus?” At this point, I recounted all the distractions that had stolen my attention up to that point. I could see each one in vivid detail. My apple-motif oven mitt holding a cookie sheet filled with hot, chewy, golden-brown chocolate chip cookies, the crumb-filled plate waiting patiently on a woven placemat just behind my computer, the dvd’s perched on the tv in their plastic cases, our cell phones sitting closely enough to me so I would know when they vibrated … each of these recorded by my mind’s eye in living Technicolor!

At first, I chided myself at my apparent lack of discipline. Then it hit me! Pictures! I had recalled all of these scenarios as pictures! That’s it! How I love the fact that Jesus taught using word pictures. He was thinking of me when He did that, I’m for certain. Whenever I read a story or a poem or even a letter, my mind sets it up in pictures – sometimes moving, many times still shots. Considering this, I decided to return to the blog

Hebrews 12:1,2 " ... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (ESV)

Wow! The pictures invoked by this reading appeared fast and furious! My vision, you might call it, was actually set in slow motion, like a photo-finish of a race. A smiling Jesus with outstretched arms motioning for me to keep going! Nail scars, visible each time the sleeves of His white robe were jostled as He waved me on! His eyes locked on mine, exuding strength - as if to will His strength in me.Yet He was having fun, laughing, and obviously happy to be cheering me on – like a parent or a big brother watching and waiting for me to finish my race well!

I must say I really enjoyed this worship experience. Yes, this time of reading actually became a chance for me to commune with my God personally and profoundly. He spoke to me through His word as He helped me to retain my focus. I’m sure this will continue to be a struggle for me.So I choose today to keep running the race, looking and focusing on Jesus. He is not only waiting in heaven for me, but today He is cheering for me and sharing His strength and joy!

"O, magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together!" Psalm 34:3