FOCUS
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6, ESV
Theme: Our focus matters. The way to life and peace is to focus on nurturing the Holy Spirit inside me, not on myself.
CONFESSION TIME
My mind wanders. Despite my best efforts to be diligently focused in my prayer and quiet time, my thoughts inevitably drift. I don’t do it on purpose, and I even pray about it NOT happening. I’d love to say the competition for my attention is for important, life or death matters, but that isn’t true either. Sadly, though I strive to give God my honor and priority, my focus is often diluted by trivial matters like the laundry I forgot in the washing machine, a bill I need to pay, tomorrow’s work schedule, or, the most embarrassing of them all, when I just fall asleep. You may be wondering whether you should continue reading the devotions I write if I can’t even get this together! Or, you might find yourself nodding in understanding as you struggle with some of the same issues.
ME, MY AND MINE
While I’d tell you God is my priority in my life, I’d also have to take a hard look to find the evidence supporting that. When I review my calendar, it’s disproportionately filled with activities for me, my job, and my family. As I balance my checkbook, I can identify the satisfaction of many of my own “wants” with much less proof of sacrificial generosity. As I’ve already confessed, there is even competition for my attention when I pause to give thanks to God for His provision. Still, I try to justify my choices as responsible and dutiful. I am “Martha”, though I want to be “Mary”. However, I must remember that focus is a choice. Just as I choose how to spend “my" time or “my" money, I can also choose Who to focus on and prioritize in my day.
Make It Personal: We are all selfish and indulgent people, making it difficult to overcome the sinful tendency to put our own desires first. Some of the competition for our time and attention is a deliberate force drawing us away from God, and we must acknowledge that. When we keep our minds stayed on God, instead of shiny distractions, He will give us peace, further revealing His glory in our lives. There will be time to tend to the tasks of this world, but FIRST, give the Holy Spirit priority. Choosing to nurture and feed ourselves spiritually through time in the Word, fellowship with other believers, and presence in worship is setting ourselves aside and giving God an invitation to work.
Pray: God, I have a short attention span. Calm my wandering mind so that I may block out all distractions keeping me from fully entering Your presence. Forgive me for taking You for granted by putting earthly desires and tasks ahead of You. I love You and want my life to be a testimony of my faith in You. Amen.
Read: Romans 8:1-11
Weekly Memory Verse: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” Romans 8:15, ESV