Focus.

So my breaks went out on my 2004 Four Runner the day before I went to Africa. No kidding. I was literally driving and they just stopped working. It’s funny the things that go through your mind in those moments. I’m not sure what this says about me but, the first thing that popped into my head was a tune. Specifically, it was Carrie Underwood’s song, “Jesus Take the Wheel”. Certainly seemed appropriate at the time.

I’m happy to report that there was no accident and I was able to (by the grace of God) coast into a mechanic’s shop. Unfortunately, with dated cars come costly repairs and in this instance, the price tag to fix the car far outweighed the worth. So, to the dealership, I went. And here’s where the Lord met me this week.

It’s funny. Having just preached on the Shield of Faith last Sunday ending the Alter Egos series, I was having a bit of a pity party on Monday morning. It seemed like there was just attack after attack on my soul of late. I felt as if there was an attack on my joy. An attack on my mind, my peace, and my relationships. So, putting my sermon to practice, that morning I spent time talking to the Lord about that very morning as I drove to the car dealership.

I arrive in the dealership and, after a few moments, I am directed to a desk to meet with someone and I sit down. And there, in front of me, is a letter sign that said, clear as day, “Focus on God”. Honestly? It was as if God was telling me at that moment, “Hey, I hear you. Keep those eyes on me.”

As the saleslady sat at the desk before me, I complimented her on her letter sign and expressed how much I loved the “Focus on God” message this morning. She said, “Funny thing about that. I actually had the phrase, ‘Focus on Good’ on there just a few minutes earlier but, before you came in, my boss walked over, popped off one of the O’s in ‘good’ and replied, ‘It’s so much better without that additional O.’”

Incredible.

Perhaps you’re out of focus this morning in your life. Perhaps you feel under attack. Remember the words of Paul in Ephesians 6:16, “Above all, pick up the shield of faith for with it, you will be able to put out all of the burning arrows shot by the evil one.”’

Be encouraged, friend. You’re not alone in the fire.

Need more encouragement? Read (and write out) the following verses. Take them to heart!