The high school football stadium in the community where I was serving as pastor had a track that encircled the field. Many mornings I would arrive at the stadium early in the morning to run (actually to jog…more like a crawl). On one particular morning, the water sprinklers were operating in high gear in order to prepare the field for an upcoming game. These sprinklers were designed to move in a circle while shooting huge jets of water onto the grass.
As I made my way around the track, I had to make a couple of detours because the sprinklers were actually showering as much water on the track as they were on the grass. I wondered why the watering system was not better regulated so that more water stayed on the field where the moisture could be productive rather than being wasted on the asphalt.
In the course of my many (actually few) laps around the track, I began realizing that Christians often are much like that watering system in several ways. First, sometimes we channel our efforts, energies, and resources in areas where they are less effective and perhaps even peripheral to the playing field (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, uttermost parts) upon which Jesus has instructed and commissioned us to operate. In other words, our focus is not properly adjusted.
Second, when we fail to direct our energies and resources carefully and prayerfully, we may find ourselves detouring around messy puddles that accumulate due to our lack of focus on the mission of making and teaching disciples. These detours not only can be costly emotionally and financially, but detours can limit our productivity for accomplishing a Kingdom-sized mandate. In other words, our focus is out of kilter.
Third, these detours also consume more time than simply staying in the proper lane and on the right track. Scripture admonishes us to guard our time carefully by walking “circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Unnecessary detours created by a lack of focus wastes valuable time. In other words, our focus…well, you get the idea.
A definition of the term “focus” is “to concentrate attention or effort.” As individual Christians we are to “fix (focus) our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2). When you concentrate your attention and effort (focus) on Jesus, your spirits will soar higher, your attitude will be sweeter, your face will be brighter, and your actions will become more intentionally directed. Dear Jesus, may my focus be completely upon you. May the resources of my time, talent, and treasure be deployed in a manner pleasing to you. Please direct my focus to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Amen. Daniel
