Focusing On The Now
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8
Ever been so focused on something, then something else comes up, and you get so focused on the “other” thing that you forget what you were doing entirely in the first place? I have. Many of times.
I do not trust my memory. Any time I think of something I have to do, I write it in my calendar on my iPhone. I write anything and everything down that I can. I have receipts that have phone numbers of people I was suppose to call back, but accidentally threw away those receipts, so I don’t have their number anymore. That’s how bad I am.
I believe that we can get so focused on the tomorrow’s, that we forget about today.
Do you ever find it coincidental that every time you pray, if you’re not careful, you begin to think about what’s for lunch, what’s for dinner, how the bank account looks, or what is coming on television tonight that you can fall asleep to? I don’t. I call it Satan. Every time I am praying, there is always something that Satan knows he can get me with that will distract me.
Now that I think about it, every time I am in a deep, spiritual conversation with someone on the phone, or in person, there is always something that comes up to try and distract me. I can think of multiple times when I was in small group and forgot to turn my phone on silent and my phone would ring and kill the atmosphere.
Well, you might say, “God is bigger than distractions.” That’s true, but if you choose a distraction over God, then that distraction is going to win your attention for that moment. When we get so lost in God’s presence, you completely forget about what happened 15 minutes ago or 15 years ago.
I believe if we aren’t focused on the “NOW”, then we will get distracted when distractions come our way. That is why we have to guard ourselves every single day! When you go out to battle, you’re not going to out on the front line without a shield and sword. I know I wouldn’t!
Let us get so focused on God to where nothing else in the world matters! Focusing on God should be a lifestyle…not a thought process. And when we get lost in the world, we become weak and dissatisfied with anything and everything. Nothing is ever good enough. You always want more money. You want a bigger house…a nicer car…a steak dinner every night, but when you get lost in God, you praise and cry every time someone comes to give you a random $20 just because God told them to. With God, you become thankful for anything and everything! With God, nothing else matters!
I look at my life now, as you look at yours, and begin to think about priorities. Man, when I was younger, my priority was school (sometimes), video games, food, and sleep. And as you grow up, your priorities start to change. You go from loving Barney to loving no television at all. Then, you go from wanting the newest MacBook computer to wanting to make sure all your bills are being paid. Then, you have a kid on the way. Then, so on and so forth.
Satan’s battle starts and can end with your mind.
Where is your focus today? You have the power to change your circumstances. Remember Romans 12:1-2…be transformed by the RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND. Let God change your focus. Focus on the good and not the bad. Focus on the true…pure…just…honorable…GOD! Revival starts with you! Now go be the revival!
