The Blessing of Focus

Scriptures: Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

During the Sunday morning bible study of our youth group, one youth who has recently founded an orchestra club with friends shared their first concert experience last Friday night. He said that it started out with everything going wrong. The Second Violinist injured himself that very afternoon and that literally took out a duet from the program that night.

Then, to make things worse, when they got there that afternoon to set up the stage as well as the audience area, they found that, due to miscommunication, there was no piano available that night. Not only did that have an impact on the music they wanted to present, but that also took out a piano solo program that night. On the top of these problems, the programs and tickets were not ready and available, even right before the start of the program.

This young man in our youth group, being the VP of the club, said he was really upset then. He could not contain his anger and frustration. Right then, a co-worker in the club told him, “Come on, let it go! We still have a whole evening to enjoy the music, whatever is left of it.” Because of the lack of experience, they did not do a lot of promotions. All invitations were verbal invitations. As a result, they were not expecting a lot of people to come. So his co-worker went to say, “Don’t worry! Not many people will show up. It will more than likely be just us and our families.” He went on to say that, even after his co-worker’s efforts, it still took him a while to get all of these things behind him. They quickly adjusted the program and went ahead to start the program that night.

As it turned out, because of the lack of resources they planned for, each performer played with even greater efforts and concentration. Moreover, their lack of confidence in the turnout of their friends proved to be wrong. Many friends that knew about this concert showed up, though a bit late. The audience grew from the original <10 to about 30 and they were really a group of enthusiastic and supportive audience. At the end, this young man said, though things could have been better, once he put all his upsets behind, he had a great time with the music and with his friends that evening.

This young man said he learned a lesson of how he should try to make the best out of what he has, not what he has not. I think it’s so true for him and for us, too. Life can be so demanding and so frustrating at times. Sometimes, it’s even out of control, to a point of devastating. That is, if we allow it. The matter of fact is, even in the midst of the worst situation, God is still in charge and His plans for us are still “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

If we hold fast to His promises and stay focus on Him, instead of the circumstances, we will be able to enjoy the blessings He has in store for us. More than that, we will come to appreciate His goodness and faithfulness in a much deeper and personal sense. “As it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.’” (I Corinthians 2:9)

Let’s stay focus and press on, as Apostle Paul did, so we may also experience first hand that surpassingly great blessing from His presence and His power that make us brighter light for this world!

Prayer Requests:
For high school students struggling for closer relationship with God and a sense of direction in life

Prayer:
Our heavenly Father, thank You for all goodness You have shown us. Thank You for blessing us with young people like those high school students. Thank You for their desires to know and serve You. Thank You for their willingness to offer their own time and energy for Your use. We ask that You continue to move, guide and shape them so that they not only will come to know You better, but also become Your mighty arms that win more souls for Your kingdom. In the gracious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!