Where Is Your Focus?

Lessons in Vision, Part One

Have you heard this while driving? “Keep your eyes on the road!!!!” On the other hand, maybe you have shouted it at someone while you were a passenger?

I want to invite you to take a road trip with me for a minute here as you read…Ok, hop in! 

Now, if you picture what your eyes see while you are driving, there are three basic views:
1. Straight ahead of you is where you will soon be.
2. Out the side window is what you are currently passing by.
3. In the rearview mirror is where you have come from.


A safe driver is completely aware of what is happening all around them, while they stay focused on the road straight ahead.
Of course, it is also important to use those other views too. Rearview and side mirrors help you get ready to pass someone and help you to reverse into a parking spot. And, you look out the side windows before you make a turn.
But, IF a driver focuses on any one of those views for too long, they quickly become an unsafe driver!
Are you still with me?


Okay, so once upon a time, I had an inspiring poster that said:
My name is “I am” ~ Don’t look for me in the past, I am not called “I was” ~ Don’t look for me in the future, for I am not called “what will be” ~ My name is “I am”.
That poster was probably based on Exodus 3:13-15: God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' …This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”


For me, personally, this translates into:
1. It is not healthy to focus mainly on the past. There is nothing I can do now to change my past. There is no use regretting my past because it made me who I am today.
2. It is not healthy to focus mainly on the future. There is no sense in being worried about what is next, because we do not know what tomorrow holds. There is no way I can know God’s plans for every step of my future.
3. It IS healthy to focus mainly on today. I need to live one day at a time. I need to use these 24 hours to the best of my ability.


Hebrews 13:8 is the promise that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
  * This means that the God who was faithful to keep Noah’s family safe on that ark will still be faithful to you and me!
  * This means that the God who forgave Peter, who had denied Him 3 times, will still forgive you and me!
  * This means that the God who lovingly chastened Jonah and gave him a second chance, will still act lovingly with you and me!
  * This means that the God who met the needs of the 5,000 with 5 little loaves and 2 fish will still miraculously provide for you and me!

I want to encourage you to check your vision!
Recognize, that although it is good to remember God’s faithfulness to us in the past and to be hopeful about His plans for our future, it is best for our focus to be on just walking in-step with Him today!
I know that no matter what challenging circumstances I might face today, it is my goal to keep focused on the promise that He is the same faithful, forgiving, loving God who provides for all our needs yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

PLEASE ~ continue to keep my ministry in your prayers!  I am still substitute teaching a day or two a week.  This week, I am scheduled for 3 days.  I am trying to be a Godly blessing to the kids and to the teachers.  That requires a LOT of dependence on God.  Thankfully, when we are weak, He is strong!  :)