Keep Focus

            A promising young man once told me he left his great job because it was distracting him. Needless to say I was surprised, and was wondering how such a wonderful job could be ‘distracting’ especially in times when such good jobs are hard to find. He went on to say that he has a goal and a purpose but the job is undermining his values, beliefs and taking his focus off his purpose! For that reason, he has to leave so as not to be sucked into the cesspool of the company’s corruption. I asked him if he had any other job to go to, he replied (at that time) he was yet to find one, but he would rather stay without a job than to go through the daily rape of his values and beliefs, thereby losing his purpose why he was placed on earth! For standing for his beliefs and values, God later rewarded him with an awesome job, much greater than the one he left. This same attitude we saw in Jesus Christ; despite the numerous distractions, He remained true to what brought Him to earth. He did not waiver from His purpose when the enemy lined up all manner of accusations and temptations against Him, He remained focused! These distractions could be the company you keep, habit or things. When you know what your purpose is on the earth it gives you tremendous power to stand against the storms of distractions. Those situations thrown at you in order for you to fall, after overcoming them, they form the basis of your principles. As you remain focused you then begin to live a more stress-free and fulfilled life. A management guru of our time was asked why his company does not take trainings on Sunday; he replied that he formed the habit while he was an undergraduate. He made a promise to God that he would devote every Sunday to Him. Over the years, no matter the enticements, he remained true to this principle and today he is a happier and fulfilled man for it.

            Friend there are several distractions designed to take our minds and focus off our paths, we must resolve in our minds not to veer off in order to achieve our goals. Sometimes, the distractions look harmless and give us the impression that if we succumb once we would be able to beat it when next it occurs. Unfortunately, it does not work like that, once we succumb, we would always find excuses to veer off again. The Bible encourages us to stay on the path: “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead” (Proverbs 4:25). As children of God, it is important to remain focused as distractions can cost us our purpose on earth and our destination in eternity: “Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and sat down at the right hand of God’s Throne” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus Christ is our example, and like Him, we must shun the ‘shame’ the distractions carry, and focus on our goals both here and in eternity. We are assured by the Lord that the grace of God to help us has been released but you must first do the following so as not to take the grace of God in vain:

·         Identify the distraction(s).

·         Note how you can eliminate them.

·         Seriously think about and eliminate the one(s) you personally invited.

Then watch God step in to carry you through. Friend, please note that these distractions are terrible weights that will either slow you down or stop you in your tracks. Be encouraged because: “The Lord God will help me, therefore I have not been humiliated, therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7). Be assured, when you honor God in this before people, He will honor you in turn before people. God bless you.