By now, some of you probably know that I am an Apple fan. Not talking about fruit here, but the renowned company with its amazing elegant array of products.
Nevertheless, there is one reason why I can’t stand Apple.
Three years ago, I got a MacBook Pro; my then most celebrated laptop.
Before I could revel in the awesomeness of this beautiful product, Apple introduced its next laptop. My purchase was deemed outdated in no time.And no, it didn’t stop there. It was the same deal with my iPhone. I barely had the chance to get into the peak of my excitement with my latest 3G phone when – BAM – the iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 releases made my phone look prehistoric.
Not too far behind that came the infamous – *drumroll please* – iPad2. Don’t even get me started about that. (Does this madness ever end?! *sigh).
Frustrating, isn’t it?
Now here is some food for thought:
Have you realized that over time, our level of satisfaction can easily fade? Something new comes along, and it makes you look at what you currently have in a very different light.
Let’s move beyond gadgets here…what about our career, life, ministry, or even marriage?
As exciting as something new can be, we must be careful that our desires do not drive us toward dangerous ambitions and make us forget the blessings that God has given us.
A Focused Life.
If you do not have focus on what you really want in life, you will end up trying to do anything and everything that others do that seems impressive to you. In trying to be a jack of all trades and a master of none, you will merely go around in circles with false hopes of achieving a dream that may not even be your own.
Don’t live someone else’s dream. Be thankful for where God has placed you in life. For if we cannot be thankful for where we are at, God cannot take us to where He wants us to go.
The World’s Standards Challenge.
If you set your standards based on the people around you, it will negatively impact your perspective on life and leave you feeling like you’re missing out.
Their new suit will make your suit look out of style. Their new guitar will make your new guitar sound out of tune. Their new car will leave you yearning for the keys to a new one too.
Don’t miss out on enjoying the blessings that God has graciously given you by gazing upon what your neighbour has in their life.
Direction Please.
Here are a few questions that we all need to ask ourselves:
- What do we want to achieve in life?
- Am I now in the will of God?
- What is the purpose that God has for me?
- Am I focused on what really matters in life?
- Are my present areas of focus helping or impeding my journey to the place that God is leading me towards?
Align your dreams with God’s purposes for you. Don’t ever allow anyone around you to intimidate you. Keep your focus on where God is taking you.
Now, ask God to help you fine-tune and maintain your focus so that you can live your life with purpose and enjoy every step of the way towards destiny.
This preparation will position you to acknowledge and rise up to be the winner that you are in Christ!
Discuss: What are your thoughts on the importance of living a focused life? How do you maintain your focus and stay on track?
On a related note, how do you manage “tech-envy” when you discover the latest release in gadgets? Are you among the first ones to upgrade?
Do share your thoughts below.