Are We Losing Focus?

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.  If you look within, you’ll be depressed.

 If you look to God, you’ll be at rest.”  ~Corrie Ten Boom

Sadly, the Christmas celebration came to a predictable end and I was once again forced to begin the drive back to Tennessee from my hometown in Michigan.  This year, this also meant trudging through inches of snow lying on the Michigan and (northern) Ohio pavement.  Ugh.  Let the fun begin…

I decided to make a stop at a McDonald’s in Ohio–not only to maintain my caffeine intake, but also to give my dog, Bagel, a much needed visit outdoors.  The interior of this McDonald’s was quite a surprise   It had a beautiful stone fireplace, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and a large decorative clock mounted on the back wall.  When I was a kid, a McDonald’s was considered fancy-shmancy if it had a ball pit or Ronald McDonald statue to shake hands with in the foyer.  Now however, fast-food restaurants have apparently become a luxurious place to put our feet up, warm ourselves by the fire, and at the sound of the gong on a grand ole clock, make our way to the next looming appointment in our sometimes grueling days.

We have come a long way as a society.  Perhaps the progression of a fast-food restaurant’s aesthetic design isn’t the best example of this, but it does however paint a picture. 

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Each year, I see our American culture becoming busier, more advanced, and surprisingly maintaining an increasing “need” for acquiring more “things.”  We have more toys, gadgets and fantastically tantalizing thingamabobs then we’ve ever had before.  Practically everything seems to exist in a digital format, presented with the help of multiple digital devices that constantly remain in the race for which is the smallest, fastest, and containing the most storage space.  As a result, information is more readily available, efficiency is improved, and yet…why is it that we still seem to maintain, and even amplify those busy schedules?  Perhaps one reason is to continue paying for those gadgets that are supposed to make our lives so much easier??

Regardless of the reason, it’s happening.  Our pace is in over-drive.  Our distractions are rolling in with unstoppable force.  And where does that seem to leave us?   Most likely, this type of lifestyle does and will only continue to steal our time and focus from God, our provider of wisdom and rest. 

We lose focus.  We struggle.  We’re surrounded by harsh realities on the evening news and we fear what our children and grandchildren will see on their televisions when the time comes.  When does it end, and what can we do to stop it?  I hate to admit this, but as long as each of us has a pulse here on earth, it won’t end.  Devastating news reports will continue to roll in and technology will continue to steal our attention. 

We may not have control over everything that happens in this world (we were never meant to), but we do have control over our focus.  God hasn’t gone anywhere.  He is our sturdy, picturesque oak tree maintaining the strength in His limbs for our protection.  However, the further we stray from His shade, the more susceptible we are to distractions and self-destruction.  Now more than ever, it is necessary to remain close to His branches, despite the rough weather in our midst. 

Moreover, no matter what state our world is in, or where our personal footing lies, we must never forget the image we were created in and our purpose to shine for Him.  Today, here and now, we’re not finished yet.  There’s still time.  There’s still hope.  Dwelling on shortcomings won’t bring us or our nation any closer to God; it’s only one more distraction in our world of “things.” 

Lets keep our focus where it should be, on His guiding Words, and His withstanding branches.  If we focus too much on the distress, we may miss the beauty.

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Provoking Thought:  Have you recently been swept away by the world’s distractions?  There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a smartphone, iPad, or eReader.  (God knows I do!)  However, perhaps consider loading a Bible app to one of these devices during your next use.  A little reading goes a long way.

**Do you have any suggestions to share on how you maintain focus?  We’d love to hear!  

Twitter: @AliciaMSmith7