FOCUS

Today I'm thinking about FOCUS.

Crunch time is upon me.
I have too many things to do and too little time to do them.

I've read enough Productivity Blah, Blah, Blah to know that focus is the key element required when there are too many things competing for my time and attention. 

But I have my own spin on the subject, so here's my little Blah, Blah, Blah about productivity and FOCUS. 

F First things first.
Matthew 6:33
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus' subject is our tendency toward wrong priorities (earthly stuff) and wrong responses (worry and anxiety).

Productivity is about Priorities

My first priority is my relationship with Jesus.
If it's not right ~ Nothing's right

O  One thing at a time.
1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.

OK, I know that verse isn't about Productivity, but just remember that God took 6 days to make the universe.  He didn't cram it all in the same day.

And, there was an order.
If you don't know what to do first, ask God.  James 1:5


C  Count on Jesus to be your strength.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Everything you need to do the will of God is available to you today.  I have to ask myself when I meet mountains of resistance, is this God's will?  Or, have I tried to sneak in something from my own agenda?

U  Use my resources wisely.
Proverbs 18:9
He that is slothful in his work is a brother to him that is a great waster.

Yikes!  The word waster means one who spoils, ruins, or destroys.
It's missed opportunities, squandered time and resources.

I think of the mushy zucchini in the vegetable bin, or the dried up Pony-Pac of flowers that never got planted.

My time and energy are the greatest resources I have each day that enable me to do God's will.

When I don't exercise self-control in diet, fitness, and sleep I have set myself up for failure.

Ditto when I spend too much time on the phone, on the web, or on the couch!

S  Serve with gladness and to bring God glory.
Psalms 100:2
Serve the LORD with gladness:  come before his presence with singing.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Serve with gladness.  
Christ came to minister to others.
That's the example he left for us to follow.
Serve with gladness:  your spouse, your kids, your friends, your employer, and the strange lady who wants that parking space you were waiting for.

Focus.

One day at a time.