The Power of a Focused Life

“I know where I came from and where I am going.” - John 8:14 (NIV)

In our culture life is fast-paced and pressure-filled. Stress feels unavoidable. But did you know the antidote to the stress you experience on a daily basis can be found in the Bible?

When you open the Bible and read about the life of Jesus, you see someone who faced near-constant pressure—yet lived with peace. Why? Because he knew his calling and centered his life around it.

Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14 NIV).

What about you? Do you know what God has called you to do?

No matter who you are, you have a calling. God placed you on this earth for a purpose, and he SHAPED you to fulfill it. He gave you a unique combination of:

Spiritual gifts

Heart

Abilities

Personality

Experiences.

God doesn’t want you driven by the pressure of the world around you. He wants you driven by HIS purpose for you—by your calling. The apostle Paul said, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1 NIV).

Once you begin to understand your calling, the next step is to concentrate on it—to focus your life around what matters most. THIS is what brings us peace. When you know your God-given calling, and you are walking in it, you experience an internal peace that can not be taken from you. If another "COVID" hits, your calling is still your calling. If the unexpected happens, your calling is still your calling. If hardship strikes, your mission doesn't change.

This brings us peace on the inside, even if it's chaos on the outside. Why? Because, wherever God has truly called you, HE will be with you. We don't have to worry abut the details, because we are focused on what God has called us to.

So, what has God called you to? I just did a video devotion about finding our calling. You can watch it HERE.

It’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to fill our lives with good things instead of the best things. But Jesus understood that a powerful life is a focused life. The Living Bible paraphrase says, “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will” (Luke 9:51).

Paul put it this way: “This one thing I do . . .” (Philippians 3:13 KJV).

He didn’t say, “These 40 things I dabble in.” He said, “This one thing I do.” That’s focus.

Both Jesus and Paul understood this truth: Diffused light has little power, but focused light has enormous power. Light through a magnifying glass can burn paper; light focused as a laser can cut through steel.

If you’re feeling stressed today, it may be because your life has become unfocused. Take time to discern your calling—and then concentrate your life around it. When you do, you’ll find your stress decreases and your effectiveness increases.