Over the past year I have worked out of Starbucks a lot. All the baristas know my drink, and usually spend the time at the counter asking me how my day has been while they get my grande Americano “with room” started. I go to Starbucks mainly to get work done on my computer, because of the coffee and wifi and the presence of a crowd makes a near perfect work environment (ENTP).
I usually keep my laptop bag with books, firewire drive, and small video camera leaning against the chair leg, while I work away on any number of things. Often, and quite randomly, I will jump to a start and look down at my bag to make sure it is still there. It wasn’t because I heard anything, or saw anything. It is because I was so focused on my work that I wouldn’t have even noticed if someone had come by and taken my bag. My focus and attention on one thing had created a complete blind spot in another direction.
I think the same blind spots can be in other parts of our lives. We get so focused in on our jobs or a promotion that we are blind to how our absence at home is having an affect on our marriage or children. We are so focused on a mistake or failure that we can’t see the way out of it. We are so focused on a hurdle or problem that we are blind to the helping hands and solutions around us. How convicting, and well, really depressing…
BUT, I think the this holds true to whatever we focus on intently. If we focus on our marriages and families, then we become a little more blind to the stress at work. If we focus on the opportunities in front of us, then we will be better at moving through the failures towards success. If we focus on the community around us then it will be natural to ask for help when we are in need. And if our attention is focused on the good, and right and the truth of Jesus, then it becomes much more natural to do likewise. If we focus on making the loving, better choice, instead of how may mistakes or sins we’ve committed – then we become much more aware of the right we can do.
If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, all his ministers become wicked. – Proverbs 29:12
He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. – Proverbs 16:20
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, – Romans 8:6
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” – Matthew 16:23
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. – Hebrews 2:1
Imagine being so focused, so attentive to the steps of love and truth that Jesus sets before us, that we become blind to the selfish and prideful behaviors that can plague us. The other version is much more sad and common. When one day we jump to a start and realize that:
- a promotion never feels as good as your spouse’s embrace or your child’s eyes as you read them a story.
- a painful experience has held us hostage for years.
- a life spent in self-centeredness has left us with only distance in our friendships.
- an opportunity to “make things right” has passed.
- it was never as bad as we let it be.
What has your attention right now?
The lyrics of this traditional hymn (church song) seem to mean a lot more in this moment, don’t they?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face.And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.
