Focused

Hello All! Sorry for the delay. My husband returned home after being away for quite sometime so we took the past week to catch up and reunite with each other. He has now gone back to work and so must I (the blessing is that I love what I do).

For those of you who do not attend my church in New Bern, Cornerstone Assembly, our leadership likes to pick a topic for each month's sermons and teachings. The theme for the month of January has been "Focused." Philippians 3:13 reads, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead..." The apostle Paul, author of Philippians, shared with this church family that he did just one thing. He tells them that he forgot what was behind and pursued what was ahead. 

We all need Philippians 3:13 in our lives. 

Some of us need to hear the first portion of this verse, "... one thing I do...", because we have been spinning twenty plates above our heads and are about to lose control. We think that we're most effective when we're busy. Therefore, we over commit and under deliver. What!? Not me. 

Do you find yourself running twenty minutes late from the minute you start your day? 
Do you fuss as you go to and from each commitment because you're so exhausted? 
Do you have time to truly prepare for each task or are you merely skating by? 
Do you accomplish all of your tasks and then realize you have not spoken one word to your husband, children, or even dear friends?

These are signs that there is too much going on. 

"This one thing..." 

What is the one thing God is calling you to do in your home? Your marriage? Your church? Your children? Your job? Perhaps you could focus on "this one thing" and master that before diving into other tasks that are not a priority. 

Would you like a personal example? Okay. This blog is my "one thing." Last year I tried to do more than what God intended for me to do and I made a mess of everything. This year I have been challenged to focus on "this one thing" for the kingdom of God. And I invite you to hold me accountable. After all, we're on this journey together. 

For others reading this blog "one thing" is not the challenge. "...Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead..." is what we need to focus on. So many of us are over come with guilt, shame, pain, and fear because of what has happened in the past. Either we have participated in activities that we're not proud of or things have happened to us that we cannot escape. Whichever it is for you, it makes "forgetting" not as easy as it sounds. Whether you believe it or not, Paul can totally relate to you. 

Paul's past was not a pretty one. He was a well-known murderer. Paul killed several Christians in his attempt to eliminate the movement created by Jesus and His followers. Little did Paul know, God had a plan to make him a missionary and he would carry the Gospel all over Asia Minor. So when he makes this statement about forgetting the past, he understands how difficult it is. But, he can also testify to the incredible reality of what is ahead. Paul could have wallowed in his guilt but he chose to move forward in the freedom Jesus provided him through the cross. We too have an incredible future ahead because Jesus provided us with that same freedom. I do not know what God has planned for your future, but I do know that it will be so much better than anything in your past. The key is to trust Jesus with your life, accept the freedom found in His forgiveness, and follow as He leads you into a wondrous future.

What is it that you are going to focus on this year?

Maybe you need to focus on one task. Maybe it's one person. Maybe it's one dream. Or perhaps your one thing is focusing on forgetting the past and reaching for the future. Whatever it is, start today.


Philippians 3:13