Keeping the right focus is one of the big secrets of success in the Christian life and of life in general. In fact, scientists consider the ability to establish mental focus as an important predictor of a person’s future success. Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the greatest ever football managers, very clearly understood the power of focus. He said in his book, Leading: ‘I have yet to encounter anyone who has achieved massive success without closing themselves off from the demands of others or forgoing pastimes.'
One of the most focussed people in the Bible was the apostle Paul. He wrote in Philippians 3:10-14 'I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.'
In these verses we can learn some important lessons about focus.
1. Focus on knowing Christ above all else (Philippians 3:10-11; Philippians 3:4-8; Philippians 1:21)
2. Focus on taking hold of your unique calling (Philippians 3:12-13; John 21:22)
3. Focus on the future not the past (Philippians 3:13b)
a. Don’t focus on past failures. Use them as a springboard for success in the future.
b. Don’t focus on past sins.
c. Don’t focus on past successes. Focus on new conquests.
d. Don’t focus on past negative memories. Make new positive memories.
4. Focus on heaven (Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 1 Corinthians 2:9)
Apply
What matters most to you in your life? Is it developing your relationship with the Lord or first developing your relationship with your husband or wife, children, friends and colleagues? Do you value your social life more than your spiritual life? Who or what takes the top spot in your affections and focus? To really make the most of life you need to be clear on what matters most in life. And that very simply means focussing first on your relationship with God (Philippians 3:10-11). The apostle Paul had no interest in focussing on many of the things that many people focus on. He considered his worldly success, status and connections as rubbish or 'dung' as the King James Version puts it (Philippians 3:4-8). To Paul, all that matters is to know Christ personally. He wants to experience the power that raised Christ from the dead and to be identified with Christ even if that means suffering and dying to sin and self. Paul says in Philippians 1:21: ‘for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.’ Can you say that? When we too focus on truly knowing Christ, we will start to live the best life. To have the best relationship with family, Christian family, friends and colleagues, first develop your relationship with Jesus.
Are you focussed on your own calling or do you compare yourself with other people? The apostle Paul learnt not to compare himself with others. He was simply focussed on how he personally was progressing in his Christian life (Philippians 3:12-13). Paul knew that God had taken hold of his life for a particular purpose, so he concentrated on how he could take hold of everything God had in store for him. Paul knew that Peter had a calling to the Jews, but his own ministry was to the Gentiles. Each of them had to focus on their own calling. Peter himself had to learn this direct from Jesus (John 21:22). What is it to you how well others are doing or not doing? You must not let others set the standard by which you live. Don’t let the way others serve God or don’t serve God make you feel superior or inferior. How other people, even those closest to you, run their race is their business. You must be sure that you are running your race well and that you are making the most of every opportunity and gift that God has given to you. Every Christian has an individual calling from God. You are not your brother or your sister or your Dad or your Mum or your friend. You are uniquely you with your unique characteristics and callings. God has a particular plan and ministry for you. You must discover God’s plan for your life and then focus on receiving God’s vision for you to be very fruitful.
Is your focus on what God will do in your future or on your past (Philippians 3:13b)? It is good to learn lessons from history so that we don’t repeat them, but don’t live in the past. You can’t change the past, but you can shape the future. Don’t focus on past failures: use them as a springboard for success in the future. Don’t focus on past sins: receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus and step into a new future of freedom and joy. Don’t focus on past successes: focus on new conquests. It is time for a new generation to arise who will have the vision and passion to focus on the great task of re-evangelizing this country and other nations. You may have been a leader in the past, but who and how many are you training as disciples today? And don’t focus on past negative memories: make new positive memories. You don’t have to be trapped by your past or abuse, neglect and tragedy you have suffered. Through the Holy Spirit you can know healing in your heart. You can move beyond your hurt and pain. You can forgive and be forgiven. When you commit your life to Christ, a whole new world of love, security and hope can open up to you. So focus on what your life can be, not what it has been. Reach out to take hold of all the blessings that are ahead.
In the busyness of life, do you focus on eternity? The apostle Paul had many demands on his time and attention on earth, but he always kept his focus on heaven (Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). The goal of every Christian Pilgrim is to make it safely home to heaven, John Bunyan’s 'celestial city'. Heaven is a real and wonderful place of everlasting life and light and love where there will be no mourning, crying, or pain, unlike hell which is a place of eternal torment. Heaven is where everyone who is made clean by the blood of Jesus will join in awesome worship with multitudes of people from ‘every tribe and language and people and nation.’ Heaven is where God is and where everyone who loves God will enjoy eternity with Him. Anyone who has had even a glimpse of heaven is never the same. We should focus a lot more on heaven for none of us knows when we will leave this life. We should focus less on this world. We should focus on laying up treasures in heaven and above all, making sure that we will be going to heaven. Today is the time to get focussed on what really matters. Focus on knowing Christ. Focus on your unique calling. Focus on the future not the past, and focus on heaven.
