Honor the Hungry Day 4: Focus

Thomas Edison said, “A good intention, with a bad approach, often leads to a poor result.” To honor the hungry and love our neighbor as ourselves, we must actually do something, and we must focus our minds, hearts and actions. It is an intensity of spirit, not just an intention, that allows God to work through us. Ask Him to help you follow-through with an opportunity that sounds fun!

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Cor 9: 24 – 27

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Phil 3:12-14

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Heb 12:1-2

If compassion and love for our neighbors is fueled by our relationship with God, focus is the engine.

Paul compares the life of a disciple to athletic events. He says: Run the race to win the prize. Apply self-control so that you will perform your best. Do not accept second best. Do not get disqualified. Focus on your target. Remind yourself of the goal. Go on toward the things for which Jesus called you. Forget the past. Reach forward to the future. Press on and make the goal. He cautions: Throw off what hinders. Stay free from what entangles. Run with endurance. Fix your eyes on what perfects.

Some practical methods that create the kind of focus that Paul, the apostle, encourages:

One that many people love, is journaling.

Buy a special notebook or journal, dedicate it to daily writing. Write prayers, copy verses or write about what God is doing in your life.

Some people experience a renewed ability to focus using the medium of Christian meditation.

Read a verse aloud with a different emphasis on different words each time. Don’t center yourself and empty yourself like TM, but center your focus on God and ask Him to fill you.

A favorite of others is Scripture scribing:

Devotionally copy verses, passages, or whole books of the Bible. I am copying the New Testament. I write my copy on the left side of the page in a journal, and on the right side a condensed version that helps me understand the central meaning. I am up to John (my 3rd journal) … it is a slow process, but very fruitful!

Others prefer crafting and following a Rule of Life:

A Rule of Life includes plans for incorporating the spiritual disciplines into your lifestyle.

Which of these methods of spiritual focus sounds most appealing to you? Try some of them out! Integrate all or some of them into your daily routine. Switch it up. Watch your focus grow and your ability to serve God and honor the hungry increase.

Dearest Jesus, You are my champion and I want to focus my eyes only on You. Give me Your intensity. Thank You for Your Spirit. I reach out with my hands and my heart toward Your future for me. Amen.