Focus. It’s a word I’ve said to my children more than once in their lifetimes, and it usually came with hand motions to draw them to look me in the eyes while I was speaking. They could get so caught up in their play or talking, that they were not listening to what Mom was saying. Easy enough to understand.
What about us?
Ever have issues with focus in your life? Feel like your mind’s going ninety miles an hour, but in a thousand different directions? It’s so easy to lose focus, when multiple things or people are vying for your attention.
That’s why I’ve decided to use my Friday blog spot as an opportunity to focus — or refocus, as the case may be.
I know, most people seek to gain focus on Sundays, when they go to church or on Monday’s when they’re off to work, but I’m bucking the trend and sticking to Friday. Besides, I like the alliteration — Friday Focus.
Friday is a good day to look back and access the week as a whole. How did your focus look this week? Was your to-do list so long that nothing got done or not enough, leaving you with a feeling of failure? Did you even have a goal for the week, or did you just react to what came your way?
Both of these can be unhealthy and lead to feelings or habits which pull you down emotionally, spiritually and physically. So what do you do? Eat too much, veg out on television or just quit trying? Many do, but we don’t have to.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Who is the me speaking? Jesus. He understands our weakness, our feelings of failure, inability to focus, and he’s offering the solution for our souls.
- Come to him. Yep, I can’t begin to find answers for my lack of focus and live with purpose without taking a step toward Jesus first. He doesn’t force himself on us, but stands at the door and knocks. He’s made himself available, but leaves it up to us to accept his offer.
- Confess your weariness and burdens to him. Recognize that you can’t get out of this by yourself. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, so as we move toward Christ, we have to acknowledge our woeful state.
- Accept his rest. Christ is not making you “do” anything. As we put our trust in him, he gives us rest…peace, hope, eternal life. Just come to him and accept his gift.
- Take his yoke and learn from him. As we come to Christ, we join in partnership with him. The yoke of life was heavy, because of the weight of sin and self. Now we are no longer alone on the journey: Christ walks with us through his Spirit that fills us. As we walk, we talk and listen, learning from him, from his Word that speaks into our lives and teaches us how to live anew in Christ.
- Life is no longer a burden but a blessing. The way of Christ is the way of peace and rest, for he makes it easy, as we now focus on him and the way he leads.
You may be accepting this message for the first time. Come to Christ. He’s waiting to save and to bless. Focus.
You may have walked this journey for a long time with Christ, but taken your eyes off of the One who’s way is gentle and easy. It’s alright. He’s still there, just waiting for you to get back inline with him on the journey. Still so much to learn. Refocus.
How was your week? Full of purpose and peace or frustration and failure? Either way, give it to Jesus. Find rest for your soul and hope for the days to come.
Grace and Peace
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