Time to Refocus
It has happened too often when I’ve arrived at my destination and I don’t actually remember driving there. It has also happened too often when I’ve gone into a room for a purpose but that purpose has decided to escape me and I stand perplexed in the middle of the room. And then there are the times when I have something really important to say and the words dissipate in front of my very eyes and I simply cannot remember what those very important words were. And I know I’m not alone.
The occurrences of these (often embarrassing) moments happen far more during my busiest times. They also happen when I don’t get enough sleep, if there’s some sort of drama taking place or that first cup of coffee hasn’t quite hit me yet. Really, it’s becoming a regular occurance. And getting older isn’t the reason.
I could list well over one hundred distractions around me at this moment: the dishwasher is sounding funny, I need to remember to give puppy her medication, did I take out the laundry, did I remember to book that ortho appointment, when am I meeting Helen for coffee, who is driving who where today… And yet, I’m trying to focus on the task at hand.
It almost seems belittling to say ‘stay focused’ because none of us are trying to not stay focused. In fact, we are trying very hard to stay focused. But the fact of the matter is that we live in a world where distractions are being hurled at us 24/7. And getting us distracted is a tool the Devil loves to use. Although technological advances have indeed made it difficult to ‘shut out’ the world around us, being distracted is nothing new. In fact, the bible has a plethora of verses to remind us to keep our eyes on God, and to watch out for the things that cause us to stumble. And that tells me that the trouble of staying focused has been an issue for a very, very, long time.
I’d like to leave you then with some encouragement. You’re not alone if staying focused is feeling like you’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. You’re not alone if looking for a needle in a haystack actually seems easier than completing your task list for today. You are not alone.
Here are a few verses that I found to be especially fitting for today’s blog. Which one speaks to you? Write it out and place it on your bathroom mirror, the inside of your lunchbag or on your coffee mug. Let the words spoken by your Heavenly Father bring you comfort that in the midst of all that distracts us, He is always with you.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”