Focus Changes Things

My heart pounded, my knees knocked together so loudly they sounded like a rhythm line for STOMP. I wondered if my heartbeat was audible to the others in the room.

I don’t normally get nervous like that before a talk, but this was different. I was getting ready to give a three-minute talk about a personal “God-story.” The kind when you lay bare your dark difficult days, how your heart and soul bled, and your tears flowed, BUT God…

This was also different because I was standing before twelve women that I didn’t know, who had pens poised prepared to critique me. I craved critique because I want to communicate God’s message clearly, but I allowed the critique to divert my focus. My gaze moved from my glorious Savior to me.

Most of My Speaker Critique Group

Once my gaze was diverted to me, I began to stumble. My confidence shattered, I rushed through the message my Savior gave me. I could not effectively convey a message that offered Godly hope when I was not connected to source of that hope.

What a difference focus makes. The next time I got in front of this fabulous group of ladies I had my eyes firmly set on God. I traded fear for confidence and doubt for peace. I stood before those precious ladies and told them the truth God spoke to me.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Oh that we would keep our eyes firmly fixed on God. It is the only to live our lives, focused on the One who gave all for helpless sinners like us.

Who are you focused on?

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