STAY FOCUSED!

STAY FOCUSED! 

For the better part of last week, I was in a foul mood. I blew up at the slightest provocation. And I am not proud to say that the reason behind this was the fact that I spent so much money on fuel the week before that. In fact, I began to feed on it like it was a meal. If I spoke to anyone on the phone, I always found a way to bring it up. And the more I did this, the more upset I got.

And then by the end of the week, it was revealed to me that I was doing myself more harm than any good. I then realised that this was just an unnecessary distraction. I was paying attention to something that honestly did not matter at all in the grand scheme of things. Yes it does not matter. My getting upset is not going to change the price of fuel. So I decided to leave the matter.

Now here is the thing. We all know that times are hard, but we are told that there is nothing new under the sun. Therefore hard times have come before and they eased off. Famines have been, famines have gone and famines will come again. Yet in scripture we are told of people like Isaac, who dared to sow in famine and even reaped bountifully because they were blessed by God. “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundred fold, because the LORD blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.” Genesis 26:12-13 NIV 

We are told very clearly that it was the blessing of God that caused Isaac to reap a bountiful harvest in spite of the season of famine. This implies that our harvest is not determined by the season in which we are or by the environment but by the blessing of God on a person. It would do us well then to focus more on God who is responsible for our blessings and spend less time or no time at all on things that distract.

There are a lot of things on the outside of us right now that are screaming “Be very Afraid: things are getting worse! “ but there is the gentle whisper on the inside as well that is saying “I got this, all will be well”. That gentle whisper on the inside is what we should be listening to. I believe that all the noise without is meant to distract us from the opportunities around us. Is it possible to see opportunities when we are spending time complaining? I do not think so. After the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they literally grumbled and complained to death in the wilderness. It was as if everything drove them to distraction until they lost their focus of getting into the Promised. Land. Most of them died on the way there and never made it to the Promised Land. I pray that such will never be our portion.

As we commemorate the Passion Week, let us remember this, the two fold sacrifice of Jesus at the whipping post and at the cross was not easy. This is what Jesus said : “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ Matthew 26:39 NIV

Though Jesus prayed like that above, He was already determined to go to the cross; because of love. And He did not lose focus. He was mega focused on His assignment. See this Messianic prophesy in Isaiah : “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. “ Isaiah 50:6-7 NIV 

Our LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was so focused He did not let anything distract Him. Even Satan came tempting Him after a forty day and forty night fast. He overcame by the Word of His testimony.

Dear friends, Satan is on the prowl, looking for whom to knock off track.

We must not allow it.

We must like Jesus, set our faces like flint, now more than ever.

We must focus on the so many promises and blessings of God for us, in His Word.

Let fuel be there, let rice and everything be there. We shall not be moved. What is the Word of our own testimony?

I say that ALL THINGS WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD. 

What do you say?

Encourage yourself with the Word.

Better days are ahead.

Do not be afraid.

Do not be distracted.

Stay Focused!

ALL WILL BE WELL. 

OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©