Do You Have A Life Focus?

A friend of mine recently passed away. He will not be forgotten for what he did for our community and for the Kingdom of God. The main thing he did was to found a Christian high school that began in the church he and his wife attended, but over the years has expanded to its own campus. The school has provided a biblically based education for thousands of high school students. He has left his mark on our county and has outlived his life. What he did will continue to bear spiritual fruit in individuals and families for years to come.

How about those of us still here? Are we doing things that will leave a spiritual mark on the lives of those who still remain after we have passed?  What will our obituaries say about us? Each tombstone has a dash between the date of birth and the date of death. What goes there is very significant. At the age of 76 I am thinking about this more and more. As a writer for this website that reaches the nations all over the globe with the gospel, I will never know what spiritual mark I am leaving in the lives of people who read my articles. However, I know I am doing what God has destined me to do. I was born to write. It is my passion and focus.

We are not living to just earn a living, raise a family, and enjoy adventure and entertainment. That is all fine and well and necessary. That defines most all of us in a general sense. What really matters though is being engaged in one specific purpose for why we are here. What role do you and I play in God ‘s cast of characters in his kingdom? The role my friend played who passed away was to found a Christian school.

God may not call each Christian to a specific ministry, but how many Christians have a clearly defined focus for their lives that goes beyond family and vocation, and serves a purpose? “His plan for you is tailor-made for you and you alone. It’s perfect for the way he made you and the experiences you’ve had. Everything has prepared you for His next step in your life. but you have to follow him into unknown territory-into the future. It’s a walk of faith.”*

A great biblical example is found in the Book of Nehemiah 6:1-4. “ Now, when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time, I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me saying,’’ Come, let us meet together’…but they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them saying,’ I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’ And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.”Nehemiah and his construction crew were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem against intense opposition and distraction, but they were focused on their work. Nehemiah knew what had to be done.

Has God given you a Holy Spirit-inspired dream or passion for doing something for His Kingdom? Go after it with sustained focus. Don’t get off track by the cares of the world or with the distractions of the culture. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance consider coming up with a life verse and personal mission statement that will keep you focused.

*David Jeremiah, Forward, Discovering God’s Plan and Purpose in Your Tomorrow, Thomas Nelson, 2020, p. 71