A DAILY FOCUS
J.S. Taylor
Today's Scripture: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8, ESV
Theme: Focus on and talk about true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, excellent, commendable and praiseworthy things.
WIN THE DAY
It’s been a few years ago now. My youngest son, a high school junior, was struggling—things weren’t going his way, or at least as he expected. He was dejected and discouraged. I wanted to encourage him in a way that was simple, repeatable, positive, and relatable. I prayed that he would find comfort and contentedness.
He was on the football team, and we’d often spoken about how his coaches emphasized that winning the game starts with winning the play. One play at a time. So, I decided to adapt it, focusing instead on the day. Today. I started texting him “Win the Day!” every morning, and it resonated with him. It provided encouragement and lifted him up. It spread and even became “a thing” for him and his friends.
Winning the day is not so much an outcome as it is about beginning each day with, as Paul puts it, a focus on truth, honor, justice and excellence—and the endless outpouring of the grace and goodness of God. This purity of focus translates into action: it’s suiting up and showing up each day, pursuing praiseworthy things that bring glory to God. It’s moving forward, engaged and present, despite the circumstances. And it’s exhibiting the character to do the next right thing, despite potential vulnerability and risk.
DISTRACTIONS
But what can keep me from doing this daily? “For many of us, the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it. We will skim out lives instead of actually living them” (John Ortberg).
Many feel that the year 2007 was a seminal year in recent history. Among many things, it introduced the iPhone and the Amazon Kindle. Facebook and Twitter came into prominence, along with many other notable technological developments. Over the 15+ years since, the technological advances have grown exponentially to produce an increasingly digital world. Some studies even tell us the average person looks at their phone 2617 times per day. (Yes, I did a double take when I heard that.)
Sure, there are countless benefits that we experience as a result of these innovations; many may even be reading a devotion such as this from an iPad or access YouVersion through their phones. Various social media platforms can provide connections and fellowship for people which otherwise might not be available. We can now watch online services and take in talks and sermons by many.
But how often do I find that I have wasted many minutes “doom scrolling” through social media or news feeds? The unfortunate downside of our modern, technological society is an increasingly busy and disengaged world. And it can often distract me from seeing virtuous, Godly things and experiencing the riches of this world.
GUARDRAILS
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV.
I heard someone say once: “The world will bait you to the edge and then mock you when you cross the line.” I think there’s truth in this. There are any number of enticing daily stresses or temptations in our culture that can take me away from not only thinking purely but lead me to act improperly.
I believe my thoughts influence how I feel, which in turn informs how I act. And the beginning of each day sets the tone, so I have changed my daily routine significantly over the past few years. I have tried to instill more of a purposeful focus of consciously connecting with God each morning, serving my loved ones, and reaching out to those who follow the way of Jesus each day. My wife and I spend time together in prayer, Scripture, and meditation each morning. We pray for each other and for others. I journal what I am grateful for, what praise I have for God, visualization of how God may use me, and jot down a few encouraging words to set the tone for the day. I read inspiring devotions and listen to worship music. I spend time regularly with Godly men who I am accountable to and who are accountable to me.
Yet, ultimately, I don’t believe it’s my performance that God is most concerned with. It’s the character instilled in a Godly heart. It’s the pursuit of His goodness every day.
Make It Personal: I have texted “Win the day!” to my son almost every day for the past five years. Its daily encouragement is a reminder both for him and for me to focus on God’s grace… and those things excellent and worthy of praise. And it also reminds me to guard my heart.
Pray: Dear Lord, I am so very grateful for the grace and mercy that You have shown me through your Son, Christ Jesus. I praise You for Your sovereignty and the blessings You provide me with every day. I pray for those who are sick and suffering, that they may find comfort in Your love. Please help me to focus on those things that are just, pure, and excellent. And I ask that You to help me respond to whatever circumstances and challenges life may present me with the dignity and grace reflective of Your character and love. Amen.
Read: 1 Peter 1:13, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:2, Romans 12:9
Weekly Memory Verse: “The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6b, NIV