Focus is a mindset.
It’s a conscious filtering of our thoughts, which affects how we perceive, remember, learn, reason, and make choices. Without a focused mindset—i.e. being fully IN the moment—our ability to think clearly suffers, and our best efforts are frustrated. It’s hard work. Focus is like a mental muscle; we have to train it to keep sifting and shifting our perspective toward what is TRULY important.
“The Lord sees not as man sees …” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)
Have you ever desired to see as the LORD sees? Since He is God, and we are NOT, we need to employ a kind of spiritual “overlay” through which we perceive the things around us—a kind of Jesus-lens that sharpens our focus not simply on the moment itself, but on the WHOM in the moment. In other words, to continually adjust the dial of our mind to Jesus’ frequency—His way, His will, His word, His work—and apply it to what we see, do, and remember.
God has a mission for our lives essentially by the working of the Holy Spirit through the three “virtues of life” … faith, hope, and love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) He desires that we live our lives with these three … in focus.
Each can also refer to a different aspect of our life’s timeline. For example:
- LOVE is today—our present state—the active NOW;
- HOPE is tomorrow—all our tomorrows—the anticipated FUTURE; and
- FAITH is yesterday—all we’ve learned and experienced through our yesterdays—our PAST.
As we navigate through life, passing moment by moment, day by day from our past into our future, GOD is calling us to consider a higher purpose by sharpening our FOCUS continually on Him. By mindfully keeping Jesus (rather than Self) at the center, we naturally become less selfish. In THIS moment, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 KJV)
As an illustration of this, consider Psalm 61:1-4. David makes his declarations, adjusting his GOD-filter freely from his view of past—to present—to future, even within a few verses:
- First, David says: TODAY—“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: (You) lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (v.1-2) … LOVE.
- Then, YESTERDAY—“For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” (v.3) … FAITH.
- Finally, TOMORROW—“I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.” (v.4) … HOPE.
In each separate time/virtue aspect, we can actively and continually adjust our FOCUS to Jesus:
- Focus on Jesus in your PRESENT: Jesus says, “See all that you do TODAY as an act of love—MY love accomplished through you. Extend MY love purposely through your deeds to those I put within your reach. Keep doing what is good. Let love emanate like light from a grateful heart. Let everyone you touch feel MY love from your hand. Love through ME.”
- “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV)
- “The love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.” (Romans 5:5 KJV)
- Focus on Jesus in your PAST: Jesus says, “As you look back over your life to this point, identify and remember the times MY grace and near presence was clearly evident. That is your faith. By faith, you remember and KNOW that I have been your ever-present help in trouble and have never left you. Don’t forget what I’ve done—remembering MY faithfulness builds your faith. Let that faith strengthen you and encourage others. Believe ME.”
- “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered.” (Psalm 111:4 KJV)
- “But this I recall to mind … great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV)
- “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19 NKJ)
- Focus on Jesus in your FUTURE: Jesus says, “I see what you cannot. I know what your future holds—but, it’s not for you to know. Keep your eyes on Me. I’ve already written your life story—I’m holding your hope in My hands. Don’t prophesy negativity into your future. I’m in control of your future, and your hope is secure in ME. I will prepare you for all your tomorrows. Trust ME.”
- “The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV)
- “You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in Your hands.” (Psalm 16:5 GNT)
The BEST of it is THIS … that through this simple discipline, Jesus will be continually GLORIFIED in you, through you, to those who are in your circle of influence.
“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22 NKJ)
Where do you find faith, hope, and love … for yourself? for others? Jesus says: “FOCUS ON ME!”
- Overcome doubt with FAITH!
- Unravel discouragement with HOPE!
- Overpower anger or apathy with LOVE!
The degree to which we FOCUS on JESUS in everything we see and do is directly proportional to the extent in which He will be GLORIFIED in us!
Prayer: “Dear LORD, pack my perception with things that I KNOW—not with emotions that I FEEL. Let my mind’s engine run on the pure TRUTH of Who You are. Set my mind on things ABOVE as I hold my FOCUS on You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
