Yesterday Mom and I went to the beach. By the time we got to the beach and set up our umbrella, etc. we were sweating! When you get that hot there is only one thing to do and that is get in the water. It was a beautiful day and before lunch the waves were perfect. They were big but the kind of waves you can float over. We put Mom's chair in the water and poured water over her hair because that is the only real way to cool off! Then I went to swim.
I stayed in the water for about 30 minutes and it was perfect! It felt so good and it was so nice to float. I floated on my back and could have fallen asleep. I was thinking about how cool I was and how I hoped my family and friends at camp weren't too hot. I thought about how grateful I am that Mom and I get to do so much together and that we both love the water!!
Thankfully, I looked up and I had drifted way over my head! I was really surprised the lifeguards had not blown their whistle. I got ready to panic but I knew I am a good swimmer and I was fine. My first thought was, "how did that happen?" Then I started writing my next blog. (Seriously that is how I think!) How did that happen? I took my eyes off of the water. I was no longer aware of my surroundings. I had lost my focus!
In our spiritual life when we start to lose focus we stop making war with sin, our discernment is off, we don't look to do God's will, etc. Everything seems to slow us down and keep us preoccupied. It seems so many things in this world turns our heart away from God. Remember this, even when we forget God, He never forgets us! Every minute of every day He knows what we are doing!
To stay focused we can follow Paul's example in Philippians 3: 15-16, "So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it."
To stay focused on God start your day with Him. Spend the first minutes of your day reading the Bible and talking to Him. Talk about the day ahead and you will find you keep better focus on Him throughout the day. Remain in prayer throughout the day. Talk to Him as you would a friend, it does not have to be eloquent. When you see or hear something upsetting, pray for those people. When you need patience, pray for patience. When my girls were little they knew if we saw an ambulance or firetruck with their lights or sirens on we were going to pray. (The day I prayed and followed my dad in the ambulance I remember hoping that some passing cars were praying!)
John MacArthur said, "The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is the only way to know real satisfaction.”
Every time I lose my focus, I end up over my head!
Sylvia sure looks relaxed and I am so glad you didn't get out any further than you were, that would be scary for me!