WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS

In this world where many are driven by ambition and keep striving for betterment, it is easy to become so goal-oriented and so focused on where we’re heading that we don’t give time to the things that are important now.  We can miss smelling the roses along the way.  We can miss the loving hugs of our little ones.  We can miss conversations with our marriage partners.  We can miss family meals.  We can hide away and de-stress in front of TV. Life can become one big stress!  How sad to realise one day that your child is leaving home or getting married, and you hardly know them.

 The high times are few and far between, the marriage, the new babies, and the great holidays.  Mostly we get up every day; showers eat breakfast, go to work, come home, and eat dinner and go to bed.  And the same the next day, and the next, and the next!  

In this life, there will always be dreams and goals and ambitions.  No sooner will one challenge overcome than another will be facing us.  The days pass so quickly, the weeks and the months, and even the years.  How have we spent those days and years?  Have we enjoyed the living, or simply been caught up in the dream? 

As Christians we are encouraged to enjoy life, to live a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  This is Kingdom living!  Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Luke 12:22 Our pre-occupation with earthly things will tear us away from the joy of Kingdom living. Jesus went on to say, “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Vs 29-32.)

We need to be striving to live a life in close relationship with our heavenly Father, and also to live a life in close relationship with our marriage partners and our children.  We should be focused on being the best advertisement for Christianity that we can be.  We want others to look at our lives and say, “I want what you have!”

Jesus also said to his disciples, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (V.34). If the focus of our lives is for things, position and material gain, then that’s where our heart will be.  But let’s not forget – today may be the day when Jesus returns to take us away from everything here on earth.  If we are living for the Kingdom, our heart will be there, our desires will be there, and we will be living in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Each day will be a day to be enjoyed! Each moment spent with loved ones will be precious.

We need to remember that we don’t have tomorrow, we only have this moment. Life is fleeting!