Focused, Purposeful, Bold a 5-Day Plan by Candace GraySample

Focus!

Are smartphones making us dumb? They are definitely reducing our attention spans. I find myself going from distraction to distraction. It’s a battle to get on the internet to accomplish a task without ending up somewhere else (like Amazon). Social media is the same way - six memes, three reels, and two tik tok videos later; I’m trying to remember what I intended to do. We live in an age of distraction. It’s easy to scroll your life away if you’re not careful. The internet and social media are two modern means of distraction, but a lack of focus has always been a force to contend with.

The enemy of our soul comes to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). He’s after more than material things in our lives - the stakes are much higher than that. He loves to steal time and focus. One of the greatest obstacles blocking a fruitful, purposeful life is a lack of focus. Do you find yourself having the same goals every year because you didn’t accomplish what you intended the previous year? The enemy knows that it doesn’t just impact your life, but it keeps you from intentionally and strategically making life better for others.

Are you a good soldier? One who recognizes that you are in a battle with invaluable treasures at stake? And one who lives to please her Commanding Officer? Or are you a soldier acting like a civilian? Civilian affairs are not bad, but they’re irrelevant to a soldier who’s on a mission. You have a God-given assignment, and being focused is essential to the successful completion of your mission. Though you live in a world full of distractions, the grace of Christ is available to help you master them so that they don’t master you. As Hebrews 12:1-2 urges us, we must “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance….” We must “fix our eyes on Jesus,” our Commanding Officer.

Questions for Reflection

• What are your highest priorities in this season?
• Whose lives are impacted by those priorities?
• How can you master your distractions?

I hope you enjoyed reading this plan. For more inspirational content, visit my website at https://candacegray.com/.