FOCUS FOR IMPACT (6)

“...And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” – Matthew 14:29b

Peter’s experience of walking on water and subsequently sinking, illustrates the value of FOCUS for IMPACT: “So he said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (Mt.14:30). Peter’s momentary loss of focus would have ended in tragedy, but for Jesus’ rescuing hand that was stretched out. Faith fails when Focus is lost. Focus undergirds Faith. Having understood the power of focus firsthand, Peter later instructed the lame man by the Gate called beautiful: “Look at us.” This caught the man’s attention and sharpened his expectation for his healing (Acts 3: 4-6).

Focus ensures divine speed, impact, and a maximized living. When we focus our attention, we create momentum and strength. Focus is akin to striking on a spot until a barrier gives way and purpose is accomplished. To hit something in life, the rule is: Keep your eyes on it, and don’t lose your focus! To hit the baseball, “Keep your eyes on the ball”! God is our Model of Focus. God is focused. He concentrated on specific assignments each day of creation. He then created Man as Pilgrim of Purpose, not a wandering nomad! Sadly, humanity lost focus and life became fragmented, scattered, overloaded, nomadic, and rootless.

Focus is vital to Life. Things don’t just happen. Life is about choices and responses. Successful people don’t drift to the top; they demonstrate focus and discipline under divine favour. There is however so much assault against focus in contemporary times. Humanity is almost overwhelmed by a flux of changes and an unending array of options. There are too many choices, too many people to relate to, too much to do, too much to watch, too much to browse, too much to catch up with, and also to buy. We are bombarded with an infinite range of things we can do, things we would love to do, or things others suggest we should do. Feeling obligated to respond to every opportunity and need is a sure recipe for overload, confusion, and burnout.

For many, life’s pace is hyper-hectic, leading to feelings of fragmentation, saturation, and profound loss of unity and coherence. Such conditions sap spiritual vitality and threaten to neutralize faith. In contrast, Focus ensures a stress-free life: it relieves us of pressures and ensures excellent balance in life. Focus energizes the race of Life: it empowers us to endure the way of the cross, despise the shame on the way, persist against all odds, and attain the heights of divine approval. Focus overcomes frustration. Outside of focus, life is full of frustration and sinking is possible! With focus, direction and stability are guaranteed.