Focus – it can be said that what has our attention, has us. A story is told about a man whose two sons grew up to become sailors, even though they lived in the middle of America’s farming heartland. The father’s best friend visited and as they were catching up, the father lamented that it had been months since he had seen his sons and he truly missed them. “I don’t understand it,” he said, “how those two boys, growing up in all this farming territory, would have such a love for the sea that it became their life’s work.”
The next morning, the father’s friend, who just happened to be a psychologist, emerged from the room in which he had been staying. “I think I know the answer to your question,” he said. “Come into this room where I have been sleeping. Is it not the same one in which your sons grew up? What do you see on the wall opposite their beds?” Hanging on the wall, just above a dresser, was a picture of a four-masted cutter, sails unfurled in the wind, making wave across the sea. What has our attention will also have us.
Psalmist David said he would only ask one thing of the Lord: to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Not that the Temple was for pristine and kingly living, it was about the relationship he enjoyed with God and never wanted to be out of God’s presence. The Apostle Paul, relating to the Philippian church, stated that one thing he did was to forget “all that is behind me and strain forward to take hold of the reason Christ Jesus took hold of me.” The context for Paul was one of a review of his accomplishments and knowledge of God, and what he needed to leave behind to encounter more of the reason Christ wanted him.
All summer long, I fight myself to focus. It seems a little influence one way or the other, or something imposed upon me, helps me focus on everything from yard work (grass is getting mighty tall) to the spiritual disciplines (pride sure is creeping into my thoughts and attitudes again). No matter how much I seem to believe in something and even experience its benefits, I still have to impose my own sense of focus on many things. That includes worship – would I be there each week if it weren’t my calling? I want to think so, but I am glad I have that imposed upon me. I might start to slip in the summer fulfilling my vows of participation if it weren’t. See you soon, in the place where He comes “eagerly” (Luke 22:15) to meet with us and help us re-focus.
Mark
