Focus.
It’s a simple word really. Focus.
We all know what it means but as you may know, definitions are kinda my jam.
Focus, when peeled back and defined is “a center of activity or attention; directed attention.”
Does the definition resonate a little more than the word itself?
One morning not too long ago, I was awake at 1:30 a.m. My activity was centered on praying and petitioning over people I love. Praying that God would pursue them. Relentlessly. That they would surrender and focus on Jesus as the only One that can fill any void they keep desperately trying to fill with other things or people.
Have you ever been there? In the middle of the night praying hard for those you love. Praying that God would make a big move in their lives and get their attention.
There is a constant battle for our focus to be off Jesus, to grab our attention on all that’s wrong in our own lives and the lives of those we love. How we participate in the battle is key. We must be intentional about where we place our focus and what we give our attention to. It’s ultimately up to us, no one can make us dedicate our focus or give our attention unless we allow it. And as much as we would love to control where our loved ones place their focus and direct their attention, we can’t.
There are numerous stories throughout the bible of battles, distracted focus, and paying attention to the wrong things. So, how do we keep our focus where battles are won?
We focus on the One who does have control, we focus on praying, unceasingly. We fight for what matters, the truth of the gospel. We focus on surrendering ourselves to trust God and his Word. We focus on remembering He loves those we pray for even more than we do.
This picture is one I scrolled across in my middle of the night ponderings. It immediately clicked.
Think of an army. Think about the focus they must have…
They focus on a battle plan.
They focus on the mission.
They focus on how to accomplish it.
They focus as a unit.
The battle plan- pray and petition.
The mission- believe God, His strength, and His Word as true and applicable.
The how- trust God knows exactly the how and when to accomplish all that needs to be in their lives.
The unit- ask those in our inner circle to link arms with us to pray with us and for our families.
As we readjust our focus and redirect our attention, let’s take just a minute and give praise that we know who is in charge of our army, who the ultimate victor is, that we know the author of scripture is alive and who has an unwavering focus of the eternal kingdom…Glory be to God!!
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing”
Deuteronomy 20:4
“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory”
Psalm 62:8
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”
Ephesians 6:10-12
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places”
Lord, thank You for never losing focus, for always having the ultimate battle plan. Thank you for the gift of prayer. There is comfort Lord in knowing you want to hear from me. May my focus be on You Jesus. Help me keep my focus and attention on only the battles You call me to. May Your will be done in the lives of those I love, we both want them to choose you. May I focus on your word and let the truth of it help fight the battles. And if my focus falters and my attention becomes distracted gently call me back to Your truth. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
This week’s playlist:
Rescue
Lauren Daigle
Yes He Can
CAIN
Weapon
Vertical Worship
Written September 19, 2019
Updated August 23, 2021
