Focus
Looking unto Jesus the object of our focus is your best bet to completing the task or assignment that is set for you.
As we usher in another new year 2023 and journey through it, I pray that the word of Moses will resonant within your spirit “if Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here - Ex 33:15.
The word that the Lord laid in my heart for us as we journey through this year 2023 is “FOCUS”.
Every Sunday evening, we often go for a walk around the river. I often dread coming back because of the stiff hill we have to ascend, until I made a determination to focus my attention on the apex (uppermost point of the climb). That really made the climb a lot easier. One of the ways that helps ease the pain of our journey through life is to focus on the pinnacle of the summit - the end bit (eternity).
Heb 12:1-2 Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, as we look unto Jesus.The “JOY” that was set before Him was not the cross but the “Crown”.The word “looking” means literally to stare with sort of awe and admiration. Just to stare at Jesus as we see the fullness of God’s glory manifested in Him. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. When we focus on Christ, He will give us the power through His Holy spirit to contend and overcome the obstacles the enemy might throw at us and come out as winners.
Focus is defined as “the center of activity, attraction, or attention”.
The Magi from the east could not take their eyes off the star that led them to their destination (To the king of the Jews - Matt 2:1-2). The journey is as important as the destination but shifting your focus to the destination (the crown), eases the pain (cross) of the journey. If you are truly focused on the task, that task will be completed on time.
We must focus on the things that are important: Focus put an end to procrastination, it enables you to rid yourself of the non essential and concentrate on the essential
Focus enables you to put your essentials in your “to do list” as your priority.
Whenever you are overwhelmed with any project that seems complicated, instead of defaulting into inaction and starts procrastinating, focus enables you to overcome this. Focus motivates you to action any project according to priority.
When the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt’s bondage (they were slaves who knew nothing else but servitude), they did not know where they were going. God did command Moses that they should look (focus on the ark of the covenant that represented His presence) that will show them the way they have not trodden before (Josh 3:2-4).
In Deu 2:7 “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” ’”
One of the reasons the children of Israel could not enter into the land of promise and wonder around the wilderness for 40 years is because they lose focus. Deuteronomy means “the second giving of the law”. Moses recounted to the children of Israel the faithfulness of God and reminded them not to forget or lose focus of the task ahead of entering into their promise land.
In our journey through 2023, focusing on the task that is Christ-centered must be our priority. My prayer for you is that whatever God has in store for you this year, will never elude you. Amen. Wishing you a blessed and Christ-Centered year. Stay Strong in the Lord and stand firm in your faith—Isaiah 7:9.
Your friend, Tony