Finding a way through the distractions and to that focus you desire
I have a confession. I was very distracted during the worship at church – and to make matters worse, I cannot even tell you why or where it was that my errant thoughts had gone. Surely not, I hear you say – may it never be so, that a daughter of the Most High should lapse so profoundly in her attentions that her thoughts be not firmly fixed upon her Lord and King – what horror!
A rather extreme reaction of course! But there is a grain of truth in it – because I didn’t want to be distracted. And it wasn’t the first time – and it won’t be the last.
And unless I am very much mistaken, I’m not the only one. And this has led me to the realisation that everyone needs a thing!
I didn’t want to be distracted because Jesus deserves my heart and my worship – He is unfathomably good and the One that I love. And I know that when I look to His beauty and majesty, and remember His wonder and glory, it reminds me of how good He is and so brings me joy, security and hope. And so, what I needed and perhaps you do too, was something that would bring me back and focus my mind on Him. Something that somehow cuts through the noise and the worries, the to-do lists and the imaginary scenarios playing in your head – something that awakens your heart.
And it was during my wonky worship mentioned above that I discovered something that works beautifully for me – it popped into my mind. Although I rather suspect that it didn’t pop there by chance – more likely it was dropped in by a very helpful Counsellor!
I recalled a phrase that I had heard shared during a particularly impactful testimony.
The testimony was of a dying man who opened his eyes just before he passed and declared a phrase that arrested my attention: “He is who He says He is”. There was much more to the story, which is not mine to share, but there was something about this phrase that caused faith to rise up in my heart.
Indeed, I would love to go into why it was so impactful for me – how it conveys the comforting truth that He is indeed the King of kings, the Saviour, Love Himself, the Beginning and the End… who wouldn’t want to gaze on One like that. But as much as I want to elaborate on all there is in that, that’s not really my point here. You see, I discovered that each time I repeated this phrase to myself, it impacted me afresh and re-awakened my soul. But it is very likely that there is something different that would do the same for you.
Perhaps it’s a verse in the Bible, a name of Jesus, or some words in a song. Perhaps it’s a testimony that moved you and took you deeper in your faith. Perhaps it’s an experience when you felt His touch, something you just knew was from God and which encouraged your heart.
There are things that we see, hear, read or experience that stir our spirits, inspire hope, wonder and adoration, and ground our faith. And they can be such a blessing – especially if we actively choose to make them so.
Because the truth is, sometimes we all get distracted. But when those times come, as they invariably will, we can choose what we do next.
We live in an age of distraction and short attention spans. This is not an excuse, but it is helpful to understand the context and the things that have been shaping our inner and outer worlds. Many things contribute to this growing issue, including the social media forever scroll, easy entertainment feel-good hits like You tube shorts and tik tok videos, and an ever-increasing amount of information and content, true or otherwise, freely accessible with one or two clicks. It is arguable that there has never been an age when there was more available with the potential to distract or to compete for our headspace and attention.
It’s a battle – and it’s battle that we do very well to win. Of course, God understands our fears, worries and distractions – and we are not cast out because our attention on Him falls short. However, the fact is that not only is He worthy of our worship, but it is also good for us to focus on Him. Re-awakening our minds and thoughts to the enormity and goodness of God is a helpful encouragement, a rock in troubled times and a source of hope in life’s challenges and the daily grind. It is what we need in our turbulent world.
So, when I was struggling to worship, battling with a head full of other stuff, those words returned to me and pulled me back. It was deeply helpful. Immediately I had something that spoke of truth, hope and destiny – and for this season, it has become my thing. A thing that cuts through the noise and the hubbub. Something I speak to myself when I’m finding it a challenge to focus – and it awakens my soul.
What is it for you – what’s your thing? Is there anything that once captured your heart in revealing His beauty and truth? Is there a phrase which has reminded you of His bigness or something which has previously stirred your heart to worship?
You could always ask God to bring something to mind which has caused faith to rise up in the past. No doubt He longs to help us bring quiet focus to the over-busy minds that so many of us have.
Then speak it out, return to it whenever your thoughts wander off – tell your soul again and again. Celebrate it and be edified and encouraged. Choose to actively remind yourself of this truth that has spoken to you and in doing so you will fix your eyes on Jesus.
Find your thing.
