Focus Factor

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8.28-29, NLT)

We’ve been learning about how to become part of God’s governing body on earth, the Ekklesia. We do this by being the Lord’s mouthpiece in order to plant seeds and fulfill His purposes through living a life of holiness, conformed to the image of Christ, chosen by God.
Such a lofty goal. I yearn to be used for His purposes, but it seems I’m easily distracted. I hear His direction and feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit, yet struggle. I want so much to give Him permission to walk me into the new and cooperate, but my mind darts here and there like a bee after the sweetest nectar, buzzing off in a million directions.

My focus factor needs attention.

Colossians offers some insight into this problem. Paul was writing to the church at Colosse after he received a disturbing letter while imprisoned in Rome. He’d heard that non-Christian teaching was circulating and true Christianity was being forced out.

Must be they were having focus issues too.

Paul warned them about the dangers of drifting away. He advised them to continue to believe and the importance of maintaining their focus by depending on God's mighty power working in them. But he also noted that they needed to be responsible. To make concentrated, intentional efforts in order to stay focused. They needed to do their part.

As do we. . .but how?

Trusting Him
Psalm 18 has been my go-to lately. God's been using it to show me that in order to focus, I need to trust Him and His promises:

• He's a rock of protection, a shield, the power that saves, and place of safety.
• When you call, He hears and reaches down to rescue and save you from the enemy.
• He leads you to a safe place because He delights in you.
• He makes a wide path to keep you from slipping.

The more I trust Him, the more I can stay fixed on His purposes for me.

Draw Near
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. (James 4.7-8 NLT)

I’ve allowed Satan way too much space in my head, sometimes allowing him to move in and set up housekeeping. When I let him boss me around, I'm distracted from God’s plans.

Time to issue him an eviction notice.

The more I resist Satan, the sooner he’ll get the message that he is no longer welcome and must leave, which opens a path to drawing nearer to God. 

Build a Life on Him
As I learn to trust God and chase away the enemy, I can move forward and build a life with Him at the center.

“. . .you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.”  (Colossians 2.6 NLT)

Our roots must grow deep, anchored in strength, stability, and longevity instead of growing shallowly sideways. When we build a life of faith and truth, we'll be able to withstand the storms of life.

I need to consider: Do I bend during the winds of adversity and topple under the weight of my cares because my roots are shallow from lack of focus?

Photo by Lissie Wilson

A Call to Action
This song really speaks to my heart:

Alive in Christ- dead to sin.

Eyes fixed, open ears, ready to live.

May my heart burn for You as Yours does for me.

My life enthroned with You.

("My Life Enthroned With You- By Shelley Hawver)

I need to be at the ready: Eyes fixed. Ears open. Ready to live a life enthroned with Him, totally focused.

So how is your focus factor these days?  Are you walking in the purposes God has for you? Or do you struggle with trusting Him enough to draw near and build a life on Him with roots grown deep to withstand the storm?

It all starts with focus.

Ah-Ha

During the cold, winter months of 2017, I dreamed of retirement on a sunny beach somewhere.

God was preparing me to leave my state job. It was definitely time and I believed I had His blessing to do so. But as my parole date loomed (I’m former MDOC), I struggled.

It was a big decision with many things to consider. One of the most pressing issues was the question of what on earth I would do with myself.

I didn’t want to get a job and be at someone else’s mercy—I was all done with that. My hope for “New Normal” was less commitments, more R&R, and my own time frame.

Also, I had lots of things I wanted to do:  Lose weight and exercise. Travel. Catch up with friends and family. Clean closets. Play as much golf as possible. However, I knew that having fun for a living wasn’t for me. I needed purpose. Something meaningful.

God had always told me that He intended to use my writing skills in retirement, but the details remained sketchy, and I was starting to get anxious. I needed a plan. He wasn’t ready to share yet.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes He does that so we will trust Him? It’s a lesson I’ve had to endure many times—apparently I’m a slow learner.

Finally, a few months later, He tapped me on the shoulder. I sat straight up, anxious to listen to Holy Spirit's nudging. But when He whispered, “You need to do a blog,” I was left puzzled. Sure didn’t expect that.

Why are we always so surprised when we beg for answers and He comes through with an entirely different plan than we expected?

He began to download His thoughts and I finally jumped on board. What He had told me was about to come to pass, and I was so excited since it had to do with my new church.

God moved me to Jamestown Church in the spring of 2016. I guess He thought I was ready to take the next steps of my faith journey, and this tiny place of worship with a handful of sold-out believers was to be my next stop. He was moving mightily, and I soaked up the amazing teachings like a sponge—couldn’t get enough.

The Pastors, Paul and Marsha Metzger, are wonderful teachers. Their commitment to helping believers mature their faith and serve the Lord was like nothing I’d ever experienced. (Check out Jamestown Church.)

I especially liked the fact that they believe we should only do what God tells us to. There is no pressure to “perform” or “do tasks” and Paul often asks, “What is God saying?”

So when God started “saying” things to me, I knew I needed a sit-down with the Metzgers. We had already talked about the fact that I was a writer and that it would be part of my retirement world, but yet I hesitated: I was afraid.

Oh, how the enemy loves to zero in on our most vulnerable places.

I’d been a writer for a long time, blogged for several years, been published, etc., yet the thought of stepping into this new thing was somewhat intimidating. I've struggled with insecurity in the past--it's hard to dump your heart and soul for all the world to see. Kinda like standing in front of people with no clothes on. (Not a pretty picture but you get my drift.)

Time to put on my big-girl panties.

I met with the Metzgers so we could brainstorm ideas and it wasn’t long until Paul said, “We need a blog.” I love it when God does that.

We talked about mechanics, content, and concepts. I offered my thoughts about how the blog could be a synopsis of Jamestown teachings, a recap of the sermons, etc.

Imagine my surprise when Paul said, “They’ve already heard what I have to say. It should be your perspective. What God is saying to you.”

I stammered and stuttered. It was hard to grasp, the notion that I was being given free rein. When I asked, “But don’t you want to approve it?” he smiled and said, “You have my approval. Just do what God tells you.”

What a novel idea.

So I began to ask God for His help. He patiently prodded, whispering in His still, small voice. . .

Then. . .

Finally, I realized He was giving me a template for what He wanted: Listen to Him then pass it on. And provide a place for others to do the same.

Come back regularly, make a comment, and share the amazing things He has said. His whispers to you may be just what someone else needs.

Be sure to sign up for email notices about new posts over on the right and pass a link on to someone else.

Please join me on this adventure as we listen to His still, small voice. His Whispers From Above.