journey onWord with us

My wife and I have dramatically different driving styles. Her style is two hands on the steering wheel at all times while abstaining from cell phone communication and strictly obeying all posted speed limits.  She would likely say that attentive driving has not been one of my greatest strengths.   Although it is never my intention to get distracted while driving, her style is right.  I can find a variety of excuses for losing focus, but none of them are good. Just a week ago, on a trip from North Carolina to Ohio, distracted focus caused me to go several miles out of the way.  I got so mad at myself that it caused me to make immediate changes to my style. But it takes more than one frustrated trip to become a focused driver. 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 He must be the focus of our life. However, you would be in good company if sometimes you feel about your spiritual life what 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 it is exceedingly easy to drift from focus to distraction (and it is not the cell phone’s fault!).  In all matters related to faith, others need to see us driving focused as well. But it takes work, discipline, and concentration.

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

There is no doubt that David had a sincere heart for following God with relentless passion. His life was 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 the cry of our heart as well. David knew his life, like we know our own strengths and weaknesses. His desire was to have an undivided heart, and his commitment was to walk in truth. It can be done. David’s desire for an undivided heart reminds me of my own for more focused driving — Eyes on the road, with undivided attention!

My wife (with two hands on the steering wheel, not exceeding the speed limit and avoiding cell phone distractions) illustrates textbook driving. Being a student of God’s Word, practicing its truth, with laser-focus on the Author is textbook living. Neither (textbook driving or 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.

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?