FOCUS FOR IMPACT (4)

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you” – Proverbs 4:25

The Wisdom of God demands that Believers follow the Instruction to FOCUS for IMPACT: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil” (Pro.4: 25-27). These scriptures call for intentional, focused living. They emphasize the importance of having a sense of direction and avoiding distractions, for a life of purpose, impact, and distinction.

We are called to be purposeful and pointed in our choices, decisions, and actions, not allowing distractions or temptations to derail us. Wisdom directs that we stay focused on our God-defined goals, divine vision, values, and the path He has set before us. We must “ponder” – be watchful and think carefully about – the path on which our feet are taking us, keeping our gaze fixed on the Lord (Heb.12: 1-2). We must actively avoid evil paths – sinful enticements, attractions and actions, and ensure that our feet are firmly planted on the paths of righteousness. Where we look makes all the difference!

We must have direction if we would be kept from drifting toward sin. Otherwise, our attention will be given to things that’ll cause us to deviate from the pursuit of righteousness. Life’s paths are full of forces pushing and pulling at us, even screaming at us to get our eyes off the glory that’s ahead! The more we cultivate a longing for the Glory of Christ in our hearts, the easier it is to keep our gaze fixed on Him; not swerving to the left or right, but running straight ahead toward: “When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble” (Pro.4:12).

Walking with and before God requires commitment and concentration. We must turn our eyes, ears, hearts, and feet from all things that are evil or appear evil (1The.5:22). To not swerve to the right and left is a caution against things that are not sin in themselves but could cause us to veer: addiction to amusements and the countless options for play and pleasure available in this generation – diversions that could steal our affections from things spiritual and eternal (Col.3: 1-2). If we set our eyes on these mundane things, we may follow them until they capture our attention, time, money, desires, and hearts!

Swimmers on the beach know that the only way to prevent drifting farther with the subtle currents into the ocean and become disoriented is to locate a landmark on the beach, constantly glance at it, and move back toward it every so often. To not drift at all, the landmark must be stared at almost the entire time. It must be kept in focus. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our Landmark – our Focus in Time and for Eternity! Someone calls this Reality: Focusing Forward – Following Jesus!