Focus Right

Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. So I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Philippians 3:15-16 MSG)

Most of us have been through some pretty unpleasant situations. These could have been in the past or even as close as today. The sad fact is that no one is immune from such, but the truth also is that focussing on those unpleasant moments could throw us completely off course.

Focus is so important because what you keep looking at only grows on you.

Whenever I am preaching or teaching, I notice the facial expressions of people in front of me. In the crowd, there are people who receive the message and are fully fired up in the Spirit. Then there are the very few who look as if they have been forcibly dragged to the service. They don't respond; they look more lost than the sheep in the parable.

In my early years, I would focus on such and get really worked up. I would end up not delivering my message right. I would also end up depressed, thinking no one really got hold of the message. This made me really bitter.

One day, as I was reading Philippians 3, the words "focus on the right people" jumped at me. I realized that out of the 100 percent, it was not even the 1 percent who were the least interested types. By focussing on the wrong people, I was not only doing a disservice to the majority but also messing up my spirit man.

Every day, there are both negative and positive things taking place all around you. The more you give your attention to the good, the more positive and fulfilled you will begin to feel. As you do this, something exciting begins to take place in your spirit man – hope is kindled, and you will begin to experience the manifestation of God's promises.

What are you focused on today? Is it positive? Is it edifying? Use these filters and give your full focus to these things.