“Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.”
Proverbs 4:25 HCSB
“Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.”
1 Corinthians 9:26 HCSB
How often do we lose our focus?
When our lives are full of distractions, we get caught up in the moment and lose the momentum toward our current goals.
If we’re watching the scenery while driving, instead of looking ahead to where we’re going, we’ll miss our turn. Attention divided in too many directions prevents us from being able to fully focus on anything.
What if instead of allowing ourselves to be bombarded, we practiced “intentional inattention”? How would things change if we deliberately chose not to give our attention to everything around us?
Many times, we focus on the thing right in front of us, just because it’s there. It seems urgent and therefore in need of immediate attention. Maybe it’s an ad that pops up, a text we weren’t expecting, or an item on sale we didn’t even know existed.
But when we’re intentionally inattentive, we can visit the grocery store and ignore the the aisles of items that will increase our spending and decrease our health.
When viewing our social media accounts, we are able to avoid the negative and unimportant posts that bring us down and focus our time and attention on only what is beneficial.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” We are called to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
When we deliberately ignore the distractions and focus our time and energy on moving in God’s direction, we’ll live with more purpose, benefiting the Lord’s kingdom.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for giving me a sound mind. Give me wisdom to know what deserves my attention and courage to turn away from what does not. Renew my mind so that my thoughts are centered on what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, and pleasing to You. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and the path You have placed before me. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: What would “intentional inattention” look like in your everyday life? Ask the Lord for the one thing He is asking you to “dwell on” right now.