“Don’t look back, you’re not going that way”
I did a poll on Instagram to inquire about what topics ladies were interested in reading about for this week’s devotional email and someone responded with my favorite topic: focus forward. Naturally, and with huge bias, I decided to use it 🙂
What does “focus” mean to you? By definition, focus means “center of interest or activity”. When this concept came to me at the beginning of the year, I immediately thought about what things were at the center of my interest which led me to consider what was at the center of my day, at the center of my conversations, my prayers, and my to-do list. Theoretically, “focus forward” would include centering one’s attention on the future, but for me, it meant so much more than that.
What was I looking ahead to see? What things lie ahead of me that needed to be done?
Forward is a direction and for the past six months, God has shown me what forward means in my life. I was recently running on the beach and as I was meditating on a concept I saw arrows pointing forward. I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe God is omnipresent and can talk to our spirits using anything, even arrows taped to concrete in the middle of Summer. I stopped wrestling with the idea and whispered to myself “focus forward”.
In the Bible, there are so many examples of people having to move forward, often with little instruction or insight at the moment, but always with God going before them. I think of Moses who led the people in the desert, Abraham who left his father’s house without knowing his next move, Ruth who journeyed with Naomi without knowing if joy would find her again, and even Mary after the angel told her Jesus had risen. All of these people, humans just like us, were asked to focus and move forward.
What’s behind you is behind you for a reason. There are 6 more months left in the year. That is more than enough time for you to center your interest on God has brought into your mind and move forward as He guides you. There’s grace for when we get tired and need a rest and the journey ahead is still there waiting for us when we get back up.
God rewards obedience and faithfulness. I don’t know what you should focus on, but I do know forward is the direction we all should be headed in.
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What I’m reading: “The Purpose Room” by Heather Lindsey. I actually finished this book a few weeks ago, but I’m dropping the link for anyone who wants a quick read on cultivating their purpose. What I’m listening to: “Do It Again” by Elevation Worship; this song reminds me of the power in “again”. What God did He certainly has the power to do again, and again. |
Donna
Awesome devotional….I’m focusing forward. Thank you.
Erika Kimberly
DonnaThank you for reading! Yes, to forward. 🙂