“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and 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.” (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV)
F.O.C.U.S
What is focus? Here is a great acronym:
- F – follow
- O – one
- C – course
- U – until
- S – success
I am such a scatter brain. I am all over the place. I have got a million things running through my mind all the time. I am constantly switching back and forth from one task to the next. Focus is one of those things I struggle. Too often I am following multiple courses and fail to experience success in any one because I am trying to do too many things. One task is left unfinished while I am already taking on a new task.
The Myth of Multi-tasking
There is a myth called multi-tasking. Studies show we don’t multi-task. We switch from one thing to the next really fast. Our minds can only focus on one thing at a time. We have become so efficient at moving back and forth between things that it seems as if we are doing more than one thing at a time. But we are still only doing one thing at a time.
God did not make you to multi-task. He gives you each and every moment for what it is. There is peace when you are doing at a given moment the one thing God intends for you to do.
Be Fully Present
As I said, this is one of my great struggles. I am at home, but my mind is at work. And there are times when I am at work, but my mind is at home. The challenge is to be fully present in the moment. When at home to be at home. When at work to be at work. Your body can be present in one place, but your mind can be elsewhere.
You may not even realize how distracted you are. There are weapons of mass distraction all around us. Focus is not so much about that which we say “yes;” it is about that which we say “no.” When I am doing my morning devotion, I say no to everything else. My sole focus is on Jesus. My focus is on him because I have eliminated everything else that so easily entangles.
In today’s verse, the author of Hebrews encourages us to throw off every weight and sin that clings to us. He talks about running with endurance the race marked before us. Our focus is Jesus. He is the one who resolutely focused on the cross and our salvation. He resolute focus enabled him to accomplish the greatest mission in the history of the world.
Reflection
- Where do you struggle with a lack of focus? What are the weapons of mass distraction that most affect you?
- Do you have time in your day when your sole focus is on Jesus?
- Do one thing for the next 45 minutes. Eliminate all other distractions.