- Remarkable Monday
- Posts
- 🌟 Remarkable Monday, June 24
🌟 Remarkable Monday, June 24
The Importance of Focus
Mark Patterson
24 Jun • Est. Reading Time: 6 minutes
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Happy Monday! Without further ado, let’s jump right into this week’s edition of Remarkable Monday:
The Importance of Focus
Embracing God's Purpose
One of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned over the last couple of years as I’ve transitioned into what I believe is the most purpose-filled season of my life is the power of focus.
We are presented with countless decisions every single day, but the most consequential of them all is determining what to focus on.
Our focus dictates our actions, shapes our experiences, and ultimately defines our lives. And understanding what to focus on can drastically improve or impair our personal and professional lives.
The Sermon on the Mount
In seeking guidance on where to direct my focus, I found myself repeatedly drawn to the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. These words have been a wellspring of wisdom for me, offering timeless principles for purposeful and integral living. For anyone on the verge of reinventing themselves, the Sermon on the Mount is a must-read.
Focused on God's Purpose
Key Takeaway:
Embrace your identity and focus on God's purpose.
A Personal Story
My grandmother used to have this sign-off with me when we spoke during my early adult life. She would say, “Markee, keep your eyes on the prize.” I think she saw that I was starting to make plans in life that required some big decisions, such as where I would live, who I would date and eventually marry, etc. No matter what I was talking to her about, she would always end our conversation with that reminder.
The prize she was referring to was the same one the Apostle Paul talked about in Philippians 3:12-16 (MSG):
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
This leads me to this week’s scripture reference. What goals can we stay focused on in our work? I contend that this week, we should focus on our mindsets and the “why” behind our work.
This Monday’s Scripture
You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both. If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Reflection
This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing our focus on God’s purpose rather than our material success alone. As leaders and entrepreneurs, understanding our identity as children of God can shift our perspective to serving His assignment as the metric for our success. Here are some questions to ponder:
How does knowing you have a God-given purpose inform your decision-making?
What are the things currently consuming your focus that pale in comparison to God's purpose for you?
How can you realign your focus to better serve others and fulfill your God-given purpose?
Call to Action
As you fine-tune your focus this week, examine the things that consume your focus and determine whether they align with God's purpose for you.
Let’s choose to focus on what brings us closer to our highest potential and aligns with what our Maker has proposed for us to do.
Let's find our significance at the intersection of the solutions we provide and the needs of those we serve. By relentlessly serving others, we will find fulfillment and, as a byproduct, secure success.
If you are reading this far…
I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.
See you next week,
