“Decide upon your major definite purpose in life and then organize all your activities around it.” ~ Brian Tracy
Focused faith is simply being intentional about living out what we claim to believe. With all the distractions in the culture around us, it’s easy to drift into a lifestyle of fuzzy faith. If someone isn’t clear about what they believe, the world will draw them away from their faith. It often happens as a subtle drift caused by the currents of compromise. King Solomon gives us wise advice about keeping our focus as we walk by faith.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. (Proverbs 4:23-27 NLT)
Just think about how many ways you can get distracted throughout your day and become fuzzy in your faith. The most important thing is to “guard your heart”. Solomon learned this from his father David who was “a man after God’s own heart”. David wasn’t perfect, but he had a humble and teachable heart. Notice, also, Solomon’s warning about the way we talk and the words we use. What comes out of your mouth is an indication of what’s in your heart. Those who effectively guard their hearts also choose the right things to say.
Guarding your heart is the foundation for growing a focused faith. Christian leaders have to be diligent about guarding their hearts. John Maxwell says: “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” How you live and lead really does affect others, good or bad. Finding ways to make yourself accountable is a great discipline for keeping your faith in focus and guarding your heart. Your heart will always follow the things you treasure.
Leaders have influence. Others are watching how you live and how you talk. Being purposeful about living with a focused faith can make a huge difference not only in your own life but also in the lives of those you lead. Consistent character is attractive and will motivate and inspire others. Your example will replicate itself in the lives of others. Just the thought of this should bring focus to how you live out your faith.
Look straight ahead! Solomon is emphatic about this point because he had to deal with this personally. Because of his success and great wealth, Solomon lost his focus and drifted into pursuing all the pleasures of this world instead of pursuing God. He came to a place of emptiness that is captured in the book of Ecclesiastes where he shares about his journey trying to find his purpose in life.
Live with focused faith today and you will discover the joy of being used for God’s purpose. Those around you will notice and follow your lead.