journey onWord with us

Just yesterday, my wife showed great patience when I made a driving blunder (just a wrong turn). She would probably say that attentive driving is not one of my greatest attributes. Although it is never my intention to get distracted while driving, it sometimes happens. I can find a variety of excuses for losing focus, but none of them are good. From speeding tickets, to missed exits and having to drive countless extra miles, I should have learned by now the art of focused driving. You may never get distracted while driving, but in the travels of life, have you found it easy to lose your spiritual focus?

Any serious Christ follower is aware that the focus of our life should be Him. But you would be in good company if you sometimes feel about your spiritual life like I feel about my driving, “great intentions, but too easily distracted.” I start nearly all my trips laser focused out the front windshield, completely aware of my surroundings. But how soon do I succumb to those surroundings, looking back and forth out the driver’s side window, passenger side mirror and even my rear view. In all matters related to faith, others need to see us driving focused and well. But it takes work, and concentration.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.

There is no doubt that David had a sincere heart to follow God with relentless passion. His life gives proof of someone who honored the Lord, and at other times stumbled with distracted focus. Accepting that we can live with passion and then make a wrong turn should cause the words of Psalm 86:11 to be our heart’s cry. David knew his life, like we know our strengths and weaknesses. His desire was to be taught God’s ways, and his commitment was to walk in truth. It can be done. But what did he mean by an undivided heart? It is obvious that David wanted to be focused on the Lord and not live distracted.

Driving with two hands on the steering wheel, and not going over the speed limit is textbook driving. Being a student of God’s Word, and practicing its truth is textbook living. Neither superior driving, nor faith living will be accomplished well without undivided focus. Could it be in the spiritual travels of life that wrong turns and speeding tickets hinder the cause of our Savior, and what He is doing in us and through us? That is reason enough to keep our hearts and minds focused on Him.

I believe that driving well is God’s design for me. If you are a Christ follower, I know the Father wants you to live with an undivided heart. It will take work for both of us. I’ve made my commitment! Will you?