I can remember when I bought my first camera. It was a Canon Powershot SD7960. I was so excited. I was looking forward to capturing pictures of my kids, so we could look back years later and reflect.

When I first started using my new toy, many of the moments I captured with family did not come out clear. The pictures were blurry. I didn’t have a clear understanding of how to use “autofocus” on the camera. Once I finally decided to read the manual, instantly, my world changed (I mean, my photos changed). “Autofocus” was my new favorite feature. To me, my photos were of the caliber of Annie Leibovitz, and Ansel Adams, you could not tell me anything different.

Learning how to focus on the lens I chose was the determining factor for my photos. Without the focus, my ability to capture memories and see clearly, were impaired. I was distracted by the blurriness. After adjusting the settings, the “autofocus” corrected the issue so that I was able to take clear pictures. It is interesting how a camera can capture everything through the lens, but the intended target becomes apparent only when the focus is correct.

Focus on what’s ahead and let your eyes look directly forward.

~Proverbs 4:25 NASB

Focus is necessary for every aspect of our lives. We can accomplish some amazing feats with focus, but without it, we can miss out on great opportunities. Like the camera lens, without focus, it is hard to determine what we are capturing. Webster defines focus as “fixing on a central point or that which is considered the central point of attention.” It improves the clarity of the things we envision. It helps us to identify what is essential and improves our decision making. When we are driving in the rain, we try to focus our vision because it is not as easy to see in unclear conditions. It allows us to be more effective and gives us a perspective that is simplified.

Focus is instrumental in our Christian walk.

~Charles Maldon, author of In the Beginning: Godliness Through Marriage

Focus is instrumental in our Christian walk, allowing us to hone in on our direction. Just like with my camera lens, when apparent, we develop a clearer picture. Proverbs 4:25 gives us the blueprint to reach our goals, fixing our eyes on that which is ahead. The passage’s description of “eyes” involves our entire being. We must fix our whole being on the goal of moving forward. We must commit our ways to the Lord to reach our goals in every area, marriage, family, career, and spiritual growth.

How important is focus on our walk? You know this walk is not easy. It requires total focus, and that does not always come without struggle; struggle to maintain a commitment to a goal. Archery is an exciting sport that involves aiming an arrow at a target. The best archers will tell you if you define the target and forget the arrow, you will hit dead center every time. Just like the archer releasing an arrow, the distracting images in our view will draw us away from our target if we are not careful. When we allow other things (distractions) to consume our lives, we drift away from the Creator. We must fix our eyes on the Lord, not on our situations, and practice having perfect focus.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

~Colossians 3:2 NASB

We must set our sights on the right target and understand that we cannot be distracted when we have F.O.C.U.S.

F – Faithful to the Lord in all things

O – Obedient to the Spirit’s direction

C – Committed to deny the flesh

U – Unwavering dedication

S – Sacrifice

If we strive to have F.O.C.U.S every day and do what is required, I believe we can accomplish the work Jesus waits for us to do. With so much happening in the world around us, we need always to access our F.O.C.U.S.. God’s kingdom requires us to stay the course and not grow weary while keeping our outlook in front of us.

Where is your focus today? What distractions do you need to identify to stay on track?

Lord God, thank You for reminding me of the importance of accessing where I am. Please help me to examine those areas of my life that are not as clear. Give me the strength to surrender those areas to Your leading so I may please You. Let me continue to focus on the areas that bring You glory.

In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: F.O.C.U.S.: Charles E. Maldon, Jr.: All Rights Reserved

Meet Our Contributor

CHARLES E. MALDON, JR.

Charles E. Maldon Jr., is an ordained reverend, speaker, writer and mentor. However, the title he is most proud of is a servant of Christ.

Charles is a devotion/article writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, specializing in the area of marriage, with the goal of helping men improve their marriages.

Charles’s mission in life is to encourage others to know their true value by developing an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. As the Lord continues to mold him, Charles uses his colorful life experiences, both “good and bad”, as real-life ministry tools. He believes there are treasures to be found in every trial—perspective is everything. 

The crux of his writing is to bring others to freedom through authentic transparency. In addition to his writing, Charles is the founder/administrator of Break-Thru Ministries, a men’s ministry which focuses on helping the family, especially men, to become all that Christ created them to be. He enjoys helping men to fulfill their calling in life, relationships, and manhood.

He is currently in the process of revising his book, In the Beginning: Godliness through Marriage. He is a member of the Maryland Writer’s Association and Word Weavers. He also blogs on his ministry page, Break-Thru Ministries, where his hope is to touch someone with the love of Jesus.

Charles is the proud father of two boys and resides in North Carolina with his lovely wife Lekeisha. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, traveling and spending time with his family.

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