The Right Focus

Aug 20, 2020

‘You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm...’Isaiah 26:3 GNT

Your life purpose can be blurry or in sharp focus, guess which is better! Being focussed can bring four results. (1) It simplifies things. When you’re not clear on your purpose, you try to do too much—and that causes stress, inner conflict and confusion. You have all the time and energy you need to do God’s will. Not getting everything done may be an indicator that you’re doing far more than God ever intended. Focus leads to a simpler lifestyle and more sensible schedule. Only when you keep your focus can you keep your peace: ‘You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm.’ (2) It gives you direction. If you want your life to have impact, consult [ask] God, and then do what He tells you. Don’t confuse activity with productivity. Diffused light has limited impact, but when light’s focused like a laser it can cut through steel. (3) It energises you. It’s meaningless work, more than overwork, that wears you down. George Bernard Shaw wrote, ‘This is the true joy of life: being used up for a purpose recognised by yourself as a mighty one... being a force of nature instead of a selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.’ (4) It determines your legacy. When people remember your name, what will they associate with it? ‘A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.’ (Proverbs 22:1 NIV) Ultimately, what matters isn’t what others say about you, but what God says. So focus on the end game.

SoulFood: Judg 7:1–9:33, Luke 15:11–32, Ps 119:105–112, Pro 18:10–12
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

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