This time of year – the summer season swiftly racing toward fall - can make focus a challenge, right? Whether it’s focusing on a single task (a timer really helps me!), focusing on those we love, or focusing on the One who loves us most, it feels foreign to do ONE thing at a time in this multi-tasking society.

But there is immense power in focus, and I am learning its significance in new ways. I felt led to share this reminder with you, as I am reminding myself today. We STEER where we STARE.

Many years ago, God allowed me to experience a perfect illustration of this truth. When I was a girl, my family enjoyed long bike rides together on biking trails. One day, our path was overflowing with water, as it was being released from one side of the bike trail into the deep canal below the drop off on the other side. There was no way around it, only straight through it.

My dad urged me to cross through the current flowing across the trail. I was so afraid that I begged him to carry me as he had just helped my younger brother cross. Knowing I needed to face my fears, he refused and urged me forward. In my fright, I looked at the water with its seemingly overwhelming current, and then at the deep canal it was rushing towards, and as I biked, my focus led me – you guessed it – right into the deep canal! My dad had to jump in to save me, then jump back in to rescue my bike. Instead of keeping my eyes ahead toward where my father waited, I focused on the thing that scared me. That made all the difference!

In both the Old Testament and the New Testament we are beautifully exhorted about focus. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1,2 NKJV).  In Hebrews we read, “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.” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV).

We can only focus on one thing at a time.  Each day, each moment, our focus is our choice.  I remember that frightened little girl, focusing on the thing she feared most.  Today, the woman that I have become will make a different choice.  Instead of fear, I choose to focus on Jehovah Shalom.  Instead of need, I will focus on Jehovah Jireh.  Instead of pain, I will focus on Jehovah Rapha.  Instead of defeat, I will focus on Jehovah Nissi.  What will you focus on today?