It is said that Benjamin Franklin, the brilliant statesman and prolific inventor, etc., of yesteryear, invented bifocals. Tired of switching from glasses for distance to those for reading, he experimented with an idea. He cut the lenses of each pair of glasses in half then placed the reading lenses below the distance ones. Viola! The birth of bifocals – a vision solution for millions.
Have you noticed that it’s not only our eyes that need help to focus? To-do lists for projects, goals, and immediate needs are useful reminders. But when the cares of this life have us scrambling from one thing or thought to the next, how do we regain our focus?
Or perhaps our focus has settled on things beyond our control. Our lives can revolve around a misplaced drive to succeed; futile desires to please others; inordinate concerns regarding how we’re perceived; and unrealistic expectations. If that’s not enough, we wallow in a blur of worry.
Merriam-Webster’s second definition of success is a “favorable or desired outcome.” Pursuits that build success can sometimes obstruct or cloud our focus until we’re blinded to what truly matters.
Paul saw through lenses we have yet to discover when he said “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV)
What a wonderful perspective! Paul wanted to succeed. He strove to win God’s prize. To do that, he had to forget everything behind him. Then, with laser-like focus, he kept his eyes forward.
With or without Benjamin Franklin’s corrective lenses, we can learn from Paul and zero in on the goal before us.
We can’t change what’s behind us, and only God can see what’s up ahead. So, let’s focus on Him and attain His prize!
By Amre Cortadino
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Haha, Colleen – you crack me up!! I’ve felt like – squirrel – a little too often lately! God is able to keep us focused!! 🙂
Focus. For me, it’s not the focus on “other things” or the focus on worry. It’s being (or feeling) UNfocused. Paul’s line about “forgetting what is behind…” I tend to forget what’s behind, what’s ahead, what’s in front of me (like my glasses…) I need to keep ALL things in focus! Thankful for the grace of God to keep me, in spite of my (squirrel) distracted nature!
I think worry is the new word for aging!!! Thanks for stopping by, Linda!!! Love and hugs and God’s blessings!!! 🙂
Thank you, Amre, for your post. I’ve noticed as I age, your statement about wallowing in a blur of worry hit home with me. I’m thankful the Spirit is working on me about that issue. Take care.
I got so much from writing this blog — easy to lose focus and so comforting to keep it on Jesus!!! Thanks for stopping by, Valerie! 🙂
So right! If we can put and keep our focus on Him, we will do so much better and be so much more at peace! Thank you Amre for reminding us to do so!
Hi Mary Pat! Sometimes God’s reminders are whispers, other times His words are lots louder!! For me, this was one of those times!!! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I said “ouch” when I read the 3rd paragraph. Misplaced drive to succeed? Did I get nailed or what? Lovely reminder of where our focus needs to be. Thanks!
Amen! So true – thank you!! 🙂
He sure did, and he’s still teaching us!! Love that!! 🙂
I love Apostle Paul’s advice to us! He got the focus right.
Keep looking forward, write those goals down and give them to God. His timing is better than ours and giving them to God helps us stay in His will not ours.
Great way to say it, Don!! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Sharper focus the Cutting Edge the view from Two Windows ours and HIS.I wear Bifocals ❤️??
Amen! Thanks for stopping by, Deena!! 🙂
Great reminder to keep our focus on God! Blessings to you, Amre.
Amen! Life gets infinitely better!! Thanks for stopping by, Dave!
Yes.
Life is good.
And it gets better.