Since we are in the home stretch of this year (only 42 days left…that went by fast, right?), and some of us will be planning New Year resolutions, let’s talk about focus. It’s one thing to have goals, to have a plan and to execute the plan but focus is a whole different playing field. Dictionary.com defines focus as “a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity”. What we focus on is what we will attract. What we focus on has our full attention. What we focus on determines the activities we will engage in.

Looking at Luke chapter 10, Jesus talks to Martha about where her focus was. Martha was upset because here she is cleaning and cooking and laboring and Mary didn’t care to help. Martha approached Jesus and asked him “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” Jesus very clearly told her that she was focused on the wrong things (v.41). That she had put herself in a position to serve alone because of where her focus was. Even worse she had put herself in a position AWAY FROM HIM because of where her focus was. Mary, her sister, had chosen a place at the Savior’s feet taking in all the knowledge she could and enjoying an experience that Jesus says “will not be taken from her” (v.42).

Martha’s focus was on being a good hostess and her actions determined her activities. She was focused on serving and her full attention was not on Jesus. This caused her to feel ostracized. Ladies, in this upcoming year I encourage you all to be careful what you give your attention to. What you are focusing on could be the cause of feelings of hopelessness, depression, and lethargy. Instead, focus on things that uplift, encourage and energize. When you set your goals for the year and make out a plan to achieve them, also make a list ahead of time of things, people, and programs that will support your vision. This way when you run into an issue, as we all know can happen, you can quickly counter your problem and move forward.

What you focus on is what you will attract. If you want to foster happiness in your life you simply cannot focus on the situations and people in your life that hurt you or cause you sadness. So, that person does not like you and there is no obvious reason why. Well, let’s just do them a service and stay out of their way and focus on the people who love you. Focusing on those who love you will determine your actions to be in contact with people you feel appreciated by, attracting the feeling of happiness. You want to save this year? Focus on your bank account balance instead of your credit cards. Focus on needs instead of wants. Let your focus determine your actions.

What we focus on has our full attention. If you are focused on a ‘hopeless situation’, you can’t be focused on the solution. If you are focused on what you feel you should have now, but don’t yet have, you can’t be focused on what it takes to get it. It’s good to have a goal, but to get there; you need to focus on your plan of execution. No one reaches a goal without going through the steps needed to reach the goal.

Lastly, ladies what we focus on determines the activities we engage in. When I was younger, around 19 years old, to be honest I didn’t have a focus. It showed in my life big time. I moved from Detroit to Mt. Pleasant to Saginaw to Lansing. In doing that I changed from job to job. I was going whichever way the wind was blowing. Without that focus I was not grounded, I had set no goals to reach. Then I had my daughter and gained focus. Looking back I can see the changes in my life are a reflection of my change in focus. What areas of your life does your focus need to change? The decisions you do or don’t make today, will determine what your future looks like. What your future will look like depends on the activities you participate in now.

So! That’s our talk. Set goals, make a plan, execute the plan and STAY FOCUSED!

Shameka T.