Proverbs 17:24
One of the things about people who accomplish
a lot by the world’s standards is their ability to keep their focus on a goal.
They doggedly stay focused. They are able to not get sidetracked by
non-important, non-essential tasks that don’t contribute to the goal. They can
look at what needs to be accomplished and prioritize everything in view of the
goal. Distractions don’t seem to draw them away.
For
us as Jesus-followers our goal is wisdom. Of course this is not an abstract set
of knowledge, things we memorize and can regurgitate at a moment’s notice.
Wisdom starts with an intimate relationship with the LORD and flows from there.
Without this living, vital, growing relationship, all else is futile. But with
this relationship, everything else in life finds meaning.
One
of the basic skills of soldiers is being able to keep their eye on their target
when firing their weapon. Snipers, the most elite marksmen in the world, will
train staying still for days in order to obtain their target. They are some of
the most discipline people in the world. They know how to focus! Distance, wind
speed and direction, temperature, barometric pressure, the particular load and
round type, breathing and squeeze. Nothing distracts them when their target is
in view.
We
are to keep wisdom in view, as our proverb states. It does not consume our
complete view as there are other things in life, but it is always in the
picture, center stage. We can have a family, goof off, go on a vacation, buy a
nice car, decorate, watch a movie, play a game, tickle, get a degree, travel,
and still have wisdom in view. We don’t have to become cloistered individuals,
cut off from the world. We can live full lives.
But
so few people live their lives with wisdom even in the picture! They get
distracted and spend their lives moving in multiple, aimless directions. They
chase rabbits! We are called to have focus, direction, purpose. Jesus provides
us that, if we will listen to Him.
Notice
that it takes a discerning person to keep wisdom in view. It is easy to get
distracted. There are so many shiny objects that can pull us away. We are an
over-stimulated people. We have been trained to take in information in 30
minute blocks of time with seven and a half minutes of entertaining breaks
interspersed. Images in most entertainment change every four or five seconds.
If the angle doesn’t change, we get bored. Count it next time you watch a TV
show or a movie.
We
must learn to stay focused, focused in life. We must choose to keep wisdom in
our view and not allow it to be kicked out of the picture.