Staying Focused (Or At Least Trying To)

free cross pic1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwellin the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.–Psalm 37:1-6

Today I opened a notebook and started copying the first six verses of Psalm 37.

I loved the reminder not to worry because I’m great at worrying.

I love being told to trust God because I’m a complainer whois desperately trying to trust.

I love the reminder to do good because we can’t follow Jesus and do nothing.

But as I sometimes do, I started zoning out around verse 4. My phone kept buzzing, fighting for my attention. I read a text, skimmed Facebook and opened Twitter. I had an Instagram notification and then a Facebook message. My focus was swerving all over the place so as I’m writing verse 4, I write the words, “Take delight in the land” instead. I finished the verse and looked at it knowing something was oh so wrong but oh so accurate. Dang! Why do I keep doing that?

How many of us slip into auto pilot and began looking more at the land then we do the Lord? We know we’re supposed to stay focused but like that disciple who took his eyes off Jesus we start to drown in the panic of what’s going on around us (Matthew 14:30).

The land tells us that life is too hard. It hurts too much. We’llnever measure up. We’ll never be good enough. We’ll never be worthy. We’ll never be anything. The land is great at advertising the hurt, pain and destruction of the darkness. While the Lord whispers that we do matter, theland shouts that we don’t.

Spend some time in Psalms 37 today. I love this passage of Scripture. Don’t worry. Trust God. Delight in what he has done and is doing. Commit your talents, time and thoughts to your Savior. Delighting in the temporary brings drama, disappointment and discouragement. Stop it! Stay focused. Delight in the Lord.