A Note from Michael Gossett
“Focus and Determination”
Galatians 6:9-10 says, “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”
There are moments in our lives when our focus is difficult to maintain. Focus is one of the most important aspects of hitting a baseball. Hitting a baseball requires a good stance, quick hands, and an even quicker eye. Learning how to focus is a critical mental skill set for any baseball player. Sport Psychologists often call this focused phenomenon as being “in the zone” or in a “flow state.” In these moments, it seems as if the ball is slowing down in front of you, which enables the hitter to swing more accurately. However, when you are not “in the zone” or focused properly, it seems like the ball and the game around you are speeding up and you cannot catch up.
When you are truly focused on Christ, the rest of the world seems to slow down around you and you have a better understanding of when to swing, when to dive out of the batter’s box, or when to take a pitch. Wouldn’t it be nice to know which way to go every second of your life? Wouldn’t it be incredible to know exactly which way to turn at exactly the right time? Focus is the key. There are so many times in our lives when we exist in survival mode and rarely have time to focus on what really matters. Everything is flying by you. The days are a blur. The years are a blur. This is not the way God designed for you to live. He designed you to live in the moment so you can live within the purpose God has given you.
How do you live a focused life? First, we must understand what it is we are to be focused on. Second, we must have the determination to remain focused. So, let’s deal with the first question. What are we to be focused on? You may be answering the question in your head right now…. Jesus? Of course, the answer is Jesus. But, what about Jesus should we focus on? Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” There is something we must understand in these words of Jesus. In order to seek, you must focus. Seek the kingdom of God, find the kingdom of God, and stay focused on the kingdom of God. Focus is one of the greatest mental exercises that we will go through. It requires practice just like any other discipline. If we are going to focus on the kingdom of God, we must fill our minds with kingdom thoughts.
Fill your mind with God’s Word. Psalm 119:9-16 says, “ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Lord, may you be blessed; teach me your statutes. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from your mouth. I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Focus on the kingdom of God by saturating your mind with kingdom thoughts. Do not underestimate the power of God’s word to hold you, keep you, fill you, and help you focus.
When our mind is filled with God’s Word, it will inform the way we pray. If you want to focus on the kingdom of God you must be a person of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “ Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Our lives will be focused on whatever holds our attention the most. This is why in Jesus’ charge to the disciples in Matthew 6, he tells them not to worry but instead seek first the kingdom of God. Every worry is a thought that has not been dealt with in prayer. I know worry is not that simple, but maybe it is. I read a report at one time that said you physically cannot be anxious and grateful at the same time. Prayer is God’s route of aligning His people with His purpose. In other words, prayer causes us to focus toward His plans. Do not underestimate the power of prayer and its ability to help you focus on what is pure and lovely and true. Prayer will help you focus on the kingdom of God.
When you are reading your Bible, and you are seeking the Lord in prayer, often it will lead you to a place of repentance. Your focus can be disrupted by a lack of repentance in your life. John the Baptist preached this message. Jesus preached this message. Paul preached this message. Peter preached this message. It was the message of repentance. Repentance gives us the tangible alignment of our mind and our hearts toward Christ and toward His kingdom. Repentance is the literal turning away from a sinful non-kingdom focus, toward a righteous kingdom-filled focus. This is what repentance does for us. As the Lord Himself reveals sin in our lives and in our hearts, we can remove those things through the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may turn toward seeking the kingdom of God. Do not underestimate the Spirit’s power in your life when you surrender by repentance.
If we practice these three things daily and in an unhurried way, the Lord will be faithful to draw our focus toward Him and His kingdom. Paul says, do not grow weary in doing these good things. Determination is not allowing disruptions to cause you to no longer practice these disciplines. In order to stay the course and stay focused, you must have a determination to practice the things that will allow you to pursue a godly focus. This means that we must get rid of the things that does not help and abide in the things that do help in this focus. This is how we can live a focused and determined life in Christ. “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10). Don’t grow tired. Don’t give up. Keep moving forward, pursuing Jesus with everything you have.
This week, we are studying “A Greater Endurance” in Hebrews 12:1-17. How do we keep going in this life of faith? The writer of Hebrews gives really great insight on how this is possible for us to remain faithful in a faithless world. Read the passage now as we prepare to worship together. Pray for God to stir in your heart.
Hebrews 12:1-17 says, “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many. And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.”
Read through the passage, pray for God to speak to you, and be ready to worship this Sunday!
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett