My Blooming Amore,
Today, our topic is all about focusing on God amidst many distractions in our lives.
It is easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I’ll talk about the VAM, VAM means V- is value of focusing to God,
A- means acknowledging it is hard to focus on God, and lastly
M – maintain your focus on God.
Today, let me share three stories from the Bible about people who struggle to focus on God when distractions come their way. There are many more, but I will just share three.
First is, the Israelites and the Golden Calf from Exodus 32.
So, when Moses was while in Mount Sinai and receiving the ten commandments given by God, the Israelites grew impatiently and asked Aaron to make them gods to lead them. Aaron complied and fashioned a golden calf, which the people began to worship.
What do you think? Do they not have focus?
Their impatience and uncertainty during Moses’ absence. They reverted to familiar pagan practices, seeking security in a physical idol rather than trusting in the God who had delivered them from Egypt. This story provides examples of how distractions can lead us away from God and the consequences that follow. They also offer valuable lessons on the importance of maintaining our focus on God, regardless of the circumstances.
Second is, Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary. While Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching, Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Frustrated, she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her.
Martha was preoccupied with the tasks and responsibilities of hosting, which led her to miss the opportunity to sit and learn from Jesus.
Jesus gently corrected Martha, saying that Mary had chosen what is better by focusing on Him and His teachings. He pointed out that Martha was worried and upset about many things, but only one thing was needed.
This story highlights the importance of prioritizing our spiritual growth and relationship with God over the busyness and distractions of daily life.
Third is, Peter Walking on Water ( Matthew 14:22-33)
Story of Peter and other disciples were in a boat when they saw ‘Jesus walking on the water towards them. Peter, full of faith, asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. Jesus did, and Peter began to walk towards Him. However, when Peter , full of faith, asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. Jesus did, and Peter began to walk towards Him. However, when Peter noticed the strong wind and the waves, he became afraid and started to sink.
Like Peter’s initial focus was on Jesus, which enabled him to do the miraculous – walk on water. However, his focus shifted to the wind and waves, leading to fear and doubt.
So, Peter cried out to Jesus, who immediately reached out and saved him. Jesus asked Peter why he doubted, highlighting the importance of maintaining faith and focus on God despite surrounding distractions.
The lesson on this story is that it is not only our work, social media, friends, can distract us, but also our fear and doubt can distract us from our faith in God. It underscores the necessity of keeping our eyes on Jesus, especially in turbulent times.
Focusing means from dictionary perspective of Meriam-Webster is to concentrate ones’ effort or attention. While Cambridge Dictionary means it is to give lots of attention to one particular thing, object, or person.
While in Biblical Perspective Focusing means according to
Matthew 6:33 reminds us that when we focus and prioritize God, everything else falls into place. Our lives are often filled with worries about daily needs and concerns, but Jesus tells us to seek God first.
First, what is the value of focusing on God?
Do you know how important it is to focus on God?
According to, Pastor Duke Taber in his blog Taber’s Truth entitled: Biblical Distractions: Overcoming with Faith and Focus.
As a Pastor it teaches him that when he prioritize God, he refreshes to be a servant to others. His work, ministry, and relationships, benefit when he is spiritually fulfilled. Setting boundaries for work, and allocating specific times for worship and family keeps him centered.
All in all focusing on God, brings peace and order to our lives. It aligns our priorities with His will.
Do you know where your life is headed?
Imagine a ship navigating through a storm. Without a fixed point of reference the ship would be lost. Similarly, God is our fixed point. He provides direction and purpose amid life’s storms.
Second, acknowledge that it is hard to focus on God, its very challenging.
According to Romans 7:18-19 (NIV)
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good and I want to do but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing
Is it really hard balancing life?
Is it difficult to put God first?
Apostle Paul speaks of his struggles, which we all share. Our flesh is weak, and distractions are everywhere – work, social media, personal worries.
Let me tell a bit of struggles in my spiritual life. It’s completely normal to struggle with maintaining focus on God, given the multitude of responsibilities and distractions we face daily. I resonate deeply with this challenge. Here’s a brief story from my own life where distractions pulled me away from focusing on God and how I overcame it.
One particular night, after a particularly exhausting day, I found myself sitting in my bed, too tired to even step outside my house. I remember asking myself, “Am I glorifying God in all of this? Or am I just surviving?”
That’s when I realized that my strength and peace come from God, and I had been trying to do it all on my own. I decided to take intentional steps to realign my focus on God.
How about you what is the purpose of doing it all? Aside from family, working to pay bills?
Lastly, How can we maintain a focus on God?
Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Sharing these three simple steps by Channdler Vanoy from his blog Lifewayvoices.com entitled: How to stay spiritually focused in a distracted world.
1. Pay attention to what you pay attention to.
Romans 12:2 Paul said that as Christians we are called to “not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
It is important for us as Christians to know where our energy, emotions, mind, body is focus, spend more of Him, than being with the voices around.
Proverbs 4:23 Guard our hearts above all else, for it is the source of life. Therefore, if we guard our mind, we are guarding our hearts. It is important to renew our mind.
- Create boundaries and constraints
2. Turn Off Push Notifications.
Set Screen Time Limits.
Ephesians 5:15-16, “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” In order to make the best use of our time, we need limits.
Take Regular Breaks from Social Media.
3. Set your minds on the things above.
Romans 12:2, “not be conformed to this age.” focus on the right thing.
Colossians 2 saying, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
See Jesus as more beautiful, worthy, more compelling in our lives. If we have the right perspective, have a constant reminder in our hearts to fill our minds with everything that is beyond this earth. Set things on your mind which is above. Give your attention to things above not on this world.
Remember:
VAM :
V – There is value or benefits in making God our focus
A- Acknowledge that there is struggle in distractions so always remember to focus on God,
M – aintain it because there are lots of benefits, we can get from it such as peace, order, purpose and alignment.
So, are you focusing on God right now? if not start meditating His word daily and daily connect with Him through prayers.
References:
www.gotquestions.com Matthew 6:33
BibleRef Commentary in Colossians 2
Lifeway voices by Peter Tabor: “ How to Stay Spritually Focused in a Distracted World” : Focusing on God Amidst Distractions of Tabors Truth.
Blog: Channdler Vanoy, Lifewayvoices.com “How to stay spiritually focused in a distracted world”
