Keeping our focus can be a problem. As we get older, we take on more responsibilities. However, there is one area where my focus has increased through the years. The older I get, the more I learn and cling to the examples and instructions of the Bible. It is clear from various examples that when we keep our eyes on Jesus, the difficulties and stresses of life are easier to handle.
When I think about the importance of keeping our focus, I think of Peter. In Matthew 14:25-33, we have an account of Peter seeing Jesus walking on the water toward the boat in which he and the disciples were. Peter recognizes Him, and in verse 28, Peter said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says to him, “Come” “So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” Peter was doing great until he allowed his focus to change from Jesus to watching the waves as they were moved by the strong wind. He allowed his circumstances to dictate his focus. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he could walk on the water, and the circumstances did not control him. Note that even though he lost his focus, Jesus did not forsake him. He reached out and pulled him to safety. However, He did remind him that his faith was the reason he did not continue walking on the water.
Matthew 14:25-33 “And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The world we live in is loud, fast, and intensely visual. Every day, there are thousands of different things that seek our attention. We have notifications by email, social media, text messages, postal services, deadlines at work, changing family circumstances, and, if that were not enough, we have the internal chatter of our own anxieties. It is easy to start our day with clear intentions, only to find ourselves hours or even minutes later caught in a blur of distractions, wondering where our time and peace of mind went.
When our focus is scattered, our faith feels scattered too. We begin to look at the height of the waves around us rather than the steadiness of the One walking on the water with us. How do we combat these circumstances to keep the waves at bay and our focus on Jesus? In Proverbs 4:25-26, we find our answer. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”
The first thing we have to do is fix our gaze. This is a profound piece of practical wisdom. Distraction isn’t just an administrative problem; it is a spiritual one. Whatever we look at the most will eventually determine the direction we walk. If we constantly stare at our problems, our steps will be guided by fear. If we constantly stare at what others are doing, our steps will be guided by comparison. But when we intentionally align our sightline with Christ, something beautiful happens. The noise around us doesn’t necessarily vanish, but it loses its power to pull us off course.
Fixing our focus means to look up before we look out. We intentionally give God the first fruits of our attention each morning before we dive into the demands of the world. We must give ourselves permission to say “no.” While the distraction may be something good in itself, it does not deserve your mental energy right now. Then, trust the path that God has laid out in His word. We must believe that if we stay steadfast in His ways, He will establish our steps, even when the fog of life makes it hard to see a few miles down the road.
If we want to keep our focus where it should be, we must take some quiet time each day to audit our attention. Think about what has been stealing our focus. Is it worry about tomorrow, an unresolved conflict, or simply the clutter of everyday life?
In your quiet time, identify the distraction. Be specific and name what is pulling your gaze away from God’s peace.
Take time to refocus by reading and meditating on Proverbs 4:25-26. Consciously commit your situation into God’s hands. Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” If the word is to be our guide, and it is, we must know the word.
Lastly, simplify your life. Choose one practical boundary each day. A good example would be to turn off notifications for an hour to clear your mind and talk to God. Spend five minutes looking at life through the lens of eternity. Each day, be purposeful about keeping your focus. Pray and ask God for help. He knows how easy it is for your mind to wander and become anxious. Ask for forgiveness for the times you have allowed the noise of this world to drown out His still small voice. Today, choose to recalibrate your focus by fixing your eyes on His truth and trust the path He has for you.
