Week 38 - #Prepare “Focus”

“Focusing on Such Things”

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Hebrews 12 :2 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

The best and most simplistic explanation I have found so far for the meaning of focus is “to pay a particular attention to.”

So why take this time in this yearlong series to “prepare” to shine the spotlight this week on a reminder to focus?

Why lean into this topic area of preparation, and acknowledge it’s essential urgency for today?

Maybe it’s because this is something I struggle with daily and thought you may too!

Focusing can be a double edge sword. It can be a benefit or a hindrance. It is vital for success on one hand, but can also lead you down a rocky road depending on what your focus is.

I find it’s much easier to coach others on the fundamentals of having a healthy focus, but find it much harder to actually practice and prepare to be focused myself (or at least on the right things).

Focus on anything, even “good things” may cause us to be detoured or preoccupied if not governed. The trick is learning to monitor and adjust our attention, so our focus doesn’t become blurry in our either zealousness or to the contrary, our laziness. We need to be alert as it is shared in 1 Peter 5:8 to "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

So what do we need to focus on? How do we know where the balance is as we prepare to direct our focus?

One way is by heeding Paul’s words found in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

In this world, where everywhere we look, we can see messages flashing before our eyes, demanding our attention and focus.

All fighting for our time, energy, and passion.

DADs, ultimately what we focus on, will reveal who we are. And when our focus is detrimental to our preparation, remember there is always one way to come back home, centering our focus upon the light God calls us towards.

Our direct way home can be found in Hebrews 12:2, by "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith," and in Philippians 4:8"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

DADs where do you need to “fix” your eyes today?

Let’s adjust our lenses, today!

While preparing our laser focus on “such things,” worthy of God’s blessings, and His focus for our lives!

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to“Focus.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to“Forgive."

Note: *For this new year of 2021, the combination of my age (understanding my own fragile mortality), this current and ongoing global pandemic, and most recently the personal loss I’ve experienced of one of my students, has amplified the need to land on one word...#Prepare.

In this "pursuit to prepare" I am determined to dedicate the 52 weeks of 2021 blogging every Week about one aspect of preparation God lays on my heart.

As mentioned in week 1, the word “prepare” means “to establish, fix, or apply.” It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.