Focus or Distraction

Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13,14

Maybe in the month of August, you paid some attention to the Olympic games just as we did at our house. We always love watching the swimming events that comes from having a grand-daughter who is an exceptional competitive swimmer at her young age. However, through the years, my husband and I have loved watching all of the track and field events. They have held such a fascination for us, but at the same time, we have found ourselves frustrated at times with some of the goings on.

For instance, our US relay teams have never been known for being able to hold on to a passed baton. We keep hoping trainers will do some concentrated training on that event, but so often, but not always, there is failure to perform in that area. The hurdle races always cause us concern as well. The women tend to clear their hurdles while the men seem to kick all of theirs over. I hold my breath, hoping runners won't be hurt in these races.

The ONE big frustration for us is with all distance racers. It's another snag I'm afraid coaches don't address nearly enough. No matter how far ahead a leader is, one thing can almost be counted on. A runner , toward the end of a race, will usually do one of two things or both. He will turn his head to see how near the next runner is to him. This causes a slowing and distraction from the race at hand. With that mistake, a leading runner tends to lose an established pace. Even when far ahead, many apparent winners, slow down the last few yards prior to the finish line. Sometimes, there is a record on the line and such slowing removes the possibility of breaking a record. Winning is great, but without the slowing process, so much more could be realized.

Athletes in any field of endeavor can be distracted. They might be distracted by the loud voices of coaches calling out to them. Crowd noise can be a real distraction if a team or individual hasn't been exposed to it in the past. There are other things that can distract and affect the performance of an athlete.

I don't know if I have ever known a time that is so difficult in avoiding distractions as in our lives today. A huge distraction is the media, be it by the airwaves or publications. Satan is using every trick in the book to undermine the long established principles and standards of our country. In the foundation of our country are the guiding standards of the Word of God. People may argue all they want that our country wasn't founded on the things of God. I'm grateful our forefathers are not here to hear such ridiculous bantering, especially from Christians. That's another attack of Satan in our day to cause us to question our spiritual heritage as a country. The way our culture is whittling away at our Christian beliefs is great cause for concern and yes, causes distraction....distraction that can lead to great fear.

For so long, I have stressed with ladies the fact that for good spiritual health, we must stay spiritually focused. Right now, we have all we can do to manage our homes, jobs, children, church responsibilities and taking care of our own health and sanity. Advertisements shout at us from the TV, computers, newspapers and cell phones. We are told vitamins we should be taking, cosmetics we should be applying, foods (minus who knows what) we should or shouldn't be eating, soaps we should wash our faces with or use in our washing machines... and the list could go on endlessly. We are bombarded with these and other things that cause us to glance back or around, taking up our undivided attention.

Paul stated in Philippians that he was in a spiritual race. He spoke of “this one thing I do” which means he had a focus in his life. Did he have distractions? He certainly did. He was persecuted, imprisoned and under almost constant harassment. He had a life, not quite like ours but full of distraction. Above it all, there was one predominate thing in his life and that was THE race. His was a spiritual race, reaching for the line...not slowing down or looking around. The calling of God on Paul's life was everything to him. He still had life to live and circumstances to deal with, but he kept focused.

I believe we can be that focused as well. I know that I choose to think about what I want to think about. Distractions don't force themselves on me. I choose those distractions to think or worry about. I have control over what outside forces try to push themselves upon me.

It's easy to focus on things of this world...the latest in entertainment, social responsibilities, church activities, family concerns, gardening, shopping...and the list could go on. Very often, Jesus gets pushed to the background with Him generally having to settle for our leftovers.

Perhaps, like Paul, our personal goal should be those few words of Paul, “This one thing I do” and make Jesus the priority in our lives. God knows we have responsibilities, cares and things to be done on an everyday basis. To say we don't have time for God, is a way of lying to ours selves. We usually make time for those things that are important to us. Focusing on God isn't some kind of activity. Focusing on God is a matter of the heart, of our spiritual love life. Another phrase of determination found in the above verses is: “I press...” This focusing is going to require some effort on our part. Satan will distract in every way to keep us from sweet times with Jesus.

So, we must be determined....”This one thing I do...” “I press toward the mark....” You see, if spiritually we have no goals, aim at nothing, we will hit it every time.

Father, forgive my negligence, not putting you at the top of my priority list. Help me to focus on You and Your will for my life every minute of every day. I love you and want in every way to please You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen