Where's Your Focus?

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

Where's your focus?  For several weeks, I have been meditating on this very thought - how do I keep my mind (and life) focused on heavenly things and not the things of this earth.

I love The Message Bible's version of this verse . . .

Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Often times I have been to conferences where I have repeatedly heard one particular statement, "if you don't know what to do, look where God is working and jump in" . . . Isn't that the whole point?  Be about His work, not self absorbed, world absorbed, possession absorbed, but rather GOD ABSORBED!

I posed the question to several individuals, whom I highly respect, "How do you keep your mind focused on heavenly things while doing the mundane tasks of the day?"   I thought I would share their answers . . . 


"The thing that helps me keep focused is reminding myself that this is my Heavenly Father's world and He is just letting me use and enjoy things while I'm here. " 
                                                                                                             - Marcella Mote

"Try to make Prayer my first response to problem solving.

Surround my office, car and home with verses or sayings that cause prayer to be a thought. On my refrigerator is a 4 parts of prayer index card in one of those magnets that normally would hold a picture. I helps me remember to pray."
                                                                                                               - Kim McCormack

I am not sure that I do....I should .....but I don't .....the real sad thing is that sometimes I actually hide from the "heavenly things"....but when I am facing the day as God would have me to ..... "there are no mundane tasks". The reality is ... the majority of our life could be seen as mundane, routine and aggonizing....or the majority of our life could be seen as filled with possibity and purpose.... sometimes we just really just need a change of perspective. It is like my grandmother would say to me when I was whinning about life .... "You need to look at the other side of the quilt." (For those that have no idea of what a quilt is... one side is often pretty awesome while the other side.....well it just doesn't look as good...kind of like wearing a tee shirt inside out.)

When I begin to view life as mundane...I may have lost the appreciation that I should have for the "moments" that God has given me.

We proclaim that today is the day the Lord has made....if we believe this .....then whatever task I am confronted with may also bring with it the possiblity of encountering God in some unique way.

So ....In those moments when life is mundane.....

..... I know that it is time for me to pray once again.... "God give me eyes to see".

                                                                                                                - Dan McKay


Prayer and The Word!

The first thing that I do when I wake up every morning and the last thing that I do before I close my eyes in sleep are to commune with My Heavenly Father.

Believe it or not, I don’t do all the talking either! I have learned that I must listen to My Lord. In any successful relationship, communication is the key.

The Bible says “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) I try to be listening for God’s voice so that I will be ready to follow Him in whatever His will is for my life each and every day.

I study His Word, so in times of a widow’s loneliness and pain from chronic illness,I can focus on my blessings and not my fears. Knowing that He holds me in the palm of His hand gives me great comfort. (John 10:28)

The experiences of having been carried by my Savior through the deepest valleys of this life when I could not carry myself have given me peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6,7)

When I feel that I am being temped by satan, I pray, asking Jesus to rebuke him in His power and I quote scripture, for the greatest power is in the name of Jesus and the Word of God.

I am so unworthy, but He has forgiven me! He gives me peace, comfort and joy; therefore, I strive to live every second of every day knowing that He is all I need, He is enough!

May He and He alone receive glory and honor in any and everything that I am able to accomplish for Him.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (My life verse)

                                                                                                          - Brenda McClure


I have to allow my mind to be reminded of what is His, everything. And then I feel thankful, unworthy, excited, humble -- to think that Jesus loves even me! And every time I am outside, at some point in the day, I see his awesome artwork!!!
                                                                                                          - Linda Branan


I have to remember that nothing in the life of a believer is mundane...if allowed, Jesus will use every moment of life to bring us to a higher level of relationship with Himself. I sometimes find myself thinking (and acting) as though the mundane is opposite from the mountain top...when actually, the mundane is a big part of the mountain top or getting to the mountain top. John 15:4 says "remain in me" or "abide in me."


Oswald Chambers says, " it is a matter of determination." "The Spirit of Jesus is put into us by way of the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I then have to build my thinking patiently to bring it into perfect harmony with my Lord. God will not make me think of or like Jesus--I have to do it myself. I have to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...2 Corinthians 10-5."

As I write this...I must confess to the Lord that I am guilty of the above and ask forgiveness. I often let the ""mundane thinking cloud out the "abiding."
                                                                                                       - Beverly Pittman


"Usually when I am working around the house someone will come to mind and I pray for them. If I am cleaning out stuff, I will run across something that will remind me how blessed I am. God has blessed me with many dear friends and whether it is God putting them on my mind or whatever triggers their name it reminds me how blessed I really am."
                                                                                                                                           - Jan Adams



So, how do you keep your eyes focused on Him and things eternal?  Feel free to click on comments below and share your way for keeping your eyes on heavenly things.