“So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” Philippians 3:15-16 MSG

Smile Pretty!

“Oh no, here comes Papa with his camera! Get ready for the one-man “Papa”-Razzi, everyone.” My dad was an avid photographer. The problem was that we all had to be in the pictures. He thought scenery, although beautiful, was boring without a person in the picture. He loved his family and wanted to record the memories. One of the reasons that everyone wanted to run away was because he took his time to focus the picture so that everyone would be seen sharply in focus.

The focus was very important to my dad, and he taught us by his life about his “life focus.” He was centered and focused on Jesus, and never took his eyes off the target of his focus.

Is my focus as obvious? Who am I focused on? Do others see me focused on self? “How is my hair?” “Is this outfit flattering?” “How can I cover these wrinkles?” Self, self, self. “What’s in it for me?” “What’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?” How centered and focused am I on Christ? Who comes first?

What I think about, spend time doing, and talking about tell me a lot about the focus of my personal picture. If Papa could have taken a picture of my soul, would it be focused on Jesus? What is the focus of my soul?

My mouth would tell you that my center is Jesus and that He is my focus. What does my life tell you? Does it tell you that I am focused on my pride? Do I make sure that I look good to you? But how do I look to Jesus? Would my lens be focused on the Only One Who matters? Would I be living for an audience of One?

Papa’s favorite Scripture was Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, my Rock and my Redeemer.” That Scripture is my prayer, but I want to take it a step deeper. I may keep my words under control so that they do not come out of my mouth, but what about my mind and heart?

“Search me, O God; point out anything that offends You (from Psalm 139:24). May the meditations of my heart be so pure and focused on You, that what transmits to my mind are only lovely thoughts of faith, kindness, and love toward others. If the words in my heart are loving, my mind and mouth will fall into line. Right, Lord? Please, Lord, may a snapshot of me look more like You. Thank You.”