"Lazer Focused"

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you just felt “overloaded”? Have you ever felt like your mind is just scattered on this topic and that topic: trying to be a good wife, trying to be a great mom (and Mimi for some of us), trying to be intentional with your home, and also spiritually trying to remain close with Jesus…there is just a LOT…and you just feel spread thin?

Well, I have felt that way recently, and I finally felt the Holy Spirit say, “You are only going to be as effective as you are focused.” Let that sink in…YOU are only going to be as EFFECTIVE (in the Kingdom…like, as for doing God´s work… that we are all called to do and have a part in) as you are FOCUSED. That hit me like a ton of bricks! Like a “lightbulb moment”. So, even though we may be putting our hearts into amazing and honorable things while also being aware of our rapidly changing world and things that are going on around us, and looking at all these things through the lens of hope (because we know that we have a mighty God that is in control of it all and HE has this), we must stop and ask ourselves, "What am I actually doing, outside of researching and praying? How can I be more effective and do that thing that God has called me to do?” Because we all play a roll. We all have a part. Finally, we need to ask, "How can I become more effective for the cause of Christ?"

I was listening to a podcast and heard this amazing illustration: You take two balloons and place them each in front a light source. One is laser focused on one area, the other one a lightbulb with the light being dispersed. The one with the laser focus BURST the balloon, but the lightbulb never did.This is an excellent example of us. We will never be effective without being focused on that one task that God has called us to.

So, I just wanted to encourage you today, If you are feeling overwhelmed take a step back and take some time to FOCUS. We, as humans, cannot be passionate about every. single. topic. that comes up in the world. Of course, we can feel for it, and hurt for it, and our hearts can go out for it, but we cannot be crazy passionate for every topic because we will go into “compassion overload." Find that ONE thing that God is calling you to; focus on THAT particular thing, and you will be used by the Lord in the most effective way possible.

The Lord tells us what will happen if we have “laser focused” faith. Go to Hebrews 11:33-34, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” I want to reiterate a few things here…did you hear the part where He says “out of weaknesses were made strong” and even “turned to flight the armies of the aliens”? If we are laser focused, the Lord can use us as an unbeatable weapon for His glory…and even make the enemy flee!

In closing, Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Put aside all the clutter, run with patience, and look to Jesus.

Are you ready? Are you equipped to go into this battle that we are called into, to be the light bearers in all of this darkness that we are being exposed to daily in the world we live in? Are you wanting to go forward and make huge strives in this area, but have your heart on so many things that your heart aches? If there is an open wound in your heart, don't try to rush ahead and do all these amazing things to “fix it." God wants you healthy and whole. A healed heart is so much more effective. It's okay to take some time for healing.

We need to stop and make a list of the things that need to be healthy and healed in our lives, and focus on one task at a time. THEN, you will become that laser light that will be the most effective tool for furthering the cause of Christ.