Keep the Focus

Keep the Focus

Stay Focused on God when it gets tough: Psalm 119:143 (NIV) "Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight."

Leaders who are effective walk by the power of the Holy Spirit.  They recognize that we all are prone to failure or stress when we try to rely on our own strength and not that given to us through faith in Jesus Christ and empowerment from the Spirit.  Leaders can come away from 1 Peter knowing firmly that they are not alone in sacrifice and suffering.  Leadership can be a thankless job.

1 Peter 1: 13-16 (NIV) is a call to Holy living and leadership.

13Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

God is telling us through this passage to keep focus on Him and be self-disciplined.  We know of Peter’s life that this was a lesson from God that Peter learned the hard way.  God continued to work with Peter to transform him from a hard, impetuous person to a humble and thoughtful leader.  Peter reminds Christians of the time, just as today, to guard the mind.  Verse 14 continues to challenge us not to return to old ways and patterns.  It’s easy when not focused to have thoughts that distract us or strip our joy. When the mind wanders so too does the man.  Today, I struggled with feelings of anger and stress from a job loss almost three years ago.  I felt it bubbling to the surface once again and I could feel the anger reforming.  I spent the day trying to focus on God and the blessings that he has brought into our lives.  Finally leaders must seek holiness.  To do this we all must follow Christ as the example of the only true and perfect leader.  Christ is the ultimate mentor for all leaders.

A leader’s identity is found in Christ not in structure or position.  When I lost my job several years back I felt as if a huge part of who I was was ripped away from me.  I have spent the last three years working, reading, and meditating on God’s Word to become a leader, a man, God would have me to be.  God challenges leaders to be holy and humble in the message of 1 Peter.  When we humble ourselves we are open to receive God’s power.