Lord, Help Me Focus

I have never seen a clearer picture of intense focus than our border collie, Cookie. Once she caught sight of a tennis ball or a frisbee, she was locked in, her brain and body fixated to the point she seemed more like a machine than an animal. Her body stance would lower, her eyes so intensely focused, she saw nothing else.

Remember Doug? The dog in the movie “Up”? I identify more with him. He had a good heart, and wanted to please, but bless his heart, he was so distractable. Squirrel! (If you haven’t seen this movie, add it to your list.)

In total transparency, I struggle to fix my eyes on Jesus.

My heart wants to seek Him first, set my mind on things above, and keep my eyes on Jesus, but I am naturally a self-absorbed people pleaser. My thoughts drift toward my daily accomplishments, selfish desires, and earning the approval of others. I imagine what others are thinking about me, what new basket I need for my house, and if my jeans make my legs look longer.

Not all of my thoughts are selfish, but focusing on what is eternal is a real struggle. I read Matthew 6:21, Where your treasure is, there your heart is also, and I hear God asking, where is your heart today? What do you value most? What is consuming your thoughts?

What is seen is easier to value. I treasure my sweet husband and our children, but it’s easy to allow them to consume my heart.

What is God asking of me? I want to fix my eyes on the author and perfector of my faith, but this world is so distracting. My responsibilities and desires continually knock at the door demanding my attention.

Of course, He knows my struggles, my temptation to focus on myself and this world. He knew that before he pursued me. When he knit me together in my mother’s womb, He knew I would confess these thoughts. He loves me completely, so he wants me to walk in his abundance and that abundance is experienced when my heart is consumed with His glory.

His Word says that His divine power has given me everything I need for a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3) Paul’s challenge to take every thought captive is not a teasing statement to make me feel like a failure. He also says that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.(Phil. 4:13) So, choosing my focus is possible. Of course, God wouldn’t ask me over and over in scripture to do something if it wasn’t possible with his help.

In this world, we will never reach perfection, but when we offer up our will and our desires to God, he teaches, corrects, and shapes our mind and heart to resemble him more closely. We bring the truth of who we are in each moment, acknowleding our lack and he fills in the gap with his abundance. It’s grace and it’s beautiful.

Today, I can start my day in prayer, seeking Him first. I can choose to meditate on his Word. I can ask the Holy Spirit to make me aware of my thoughts so that I can bring them to God, confessing my truth. I can pursue healthy relationhips that continually point me back to Jesus. I can look back and remember the faithfulness of God, acknowledging that he is my greatest treasure. He is worthy of all my thoughts and affections.

I am asking the Holy Spirit to make me more aware of my thoughts, motives, and focus. My heart’s desire is to be completely His. When I am feeling empty, discouraged, or discontent, there’s a good possibility that my focus has drifted away from the eternal. This world and all it has to offer will never be enough to satisfy.

I now have a much deeper appreciation for the lyrics of an old hymn I sang as a child. Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. The things of earth includes the tragic stories that keep us stuck, the shiny distractions that we chase, and the buyness that consumes us. All become dim in the light of his glory and grace.

Find some space today to sit in his presence, to focus on the love that he lavishes on you. He is your joy, your peace, your hope, your life.

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13