As a photographer, I have learned the importance of focus. I have learned to manipulate an image to what I want it to be by choosing my point of focus. I draw the attention of the viewer to what I decide is the most important part of the image by making sure my subject is in focus. And in focusing on my subject, I can make all the unimportant parts of the image blur into the background. Or, I can put an entire image into focus, letting the viewer take an entire scene for what it really is, making the background as important as what is right in front of me.
But what about in life?
Daily life has a way of sweeping in and carrying us off to places we never intended. Our focus turns to the next task to get done, the next project to accomplish, the next scheduled activity for the kids, and checking everything off all of our lists. And while we don't intend to lose focus on the most important things, and we may not even realize that we have, somehow those things start to blur into the background. We see them, we take them in, and we may even spend some time on them, but they are clearly not as important as those those things that are in focus...the things that take up our time and energy, but in the big picture don't really matter.
What if we refocused?
What if we brought the entire image back into focus? Better yet, what if we brought the most important things into focus and let the rest of the stuff...the schedules, the projects, the lists...start to fade into the background. What would our lives look like? How would things change?
How do we refocus?
Well, I'm starting by taking a good look at my life? What are the things that are (or should be) the most important things in my life? A clean house? Checking everything off my to-do list? Well-behaved children? Finishing the good book I can't seem to put down? Spending time on the internet? No. Those are things that are nice to have and do (especially the well-behaved children), but they are not the things I want most of my time and energy spent on. When someone speaks of me, I don't want them to say, "Well, she has a really clean house and perfect kids, and she keeps everything together so well with all of her lists."
So what are the things that matter most?
I've thought much about this, and these are things I want most of my time and energy going toward...
- My Children. Not just having well-behaved, polite children. I want children who are growing in their love for Christ. I want children who see Christ's love for them in me. I want fun, active, eager-to-learn and explore children. Children who do not obey me because they are afraid of the punishment but because they have a heart for God and for me and want to obey. Children who are good communicators and who speak openly to their parents, who aren't afraid to ask questions. I want to spend time with my children. Not just by ordering them around and disciplining them when they do wrong, but quality time of play and interaction. Family trips, family projects, painting and coloring, reading, building, running, laughing.
- My Husband. He is the head of our family. God has placed him their, and I want to refocus my life in a way that honors and respects him in that position. I want to love him that way Christ loves him. I want to support him in the decisions he makes. I want to create an environment for him to come home to each night that is relaxing and inviting and offers him the sanctuary from the world that he sometimes needs.
- My Home. Not that the focus will be that it is always clean. Not that the toys are always put away, the dishes always done, and the floors always swept. I want the focus on my home to be making it a warm, inviting, comfortable place for my family. A safe haven from a world that can sometimes be harsh. And I want it to have an open door for others who may also need a place to feel safe and comfortable as well.
- Other people. This one is hard for me. I am, by nature, more of an introvert. I like being alone. I'm not outspoken and don't approach new people. But I want to see people the way Christ sees them. I want to connect with other people and develop close relationships. I want to fellowship with other Christians. I want to be open to sharing with non-Christians. I want Christ's love to flow through me and reach out to those in need.
How do I make sure my focus is on the right things? How do I bring this entire scene into focus? With my camera, I can adjust some settings and adjust the lens to place the focus exactly where I want it. I'm in control. But it doesn't work the same with life. No, in life I'm the camera. I'm the one who needs some adjustments and changes. Someone else has to be in control. In life, in order to bring all the other important things into focus, we need to give ourselves up and give God control. If we choose to concentrate on just one thing...our relationship with our Heavenly Father...we can allow him to change us (adjust our settings, so to speak) and bring everything else into focus.
So, really, refocusing is all about turning to Him...the Creator, the Savior, the Father, the Holy One...and giving Him control. It's all about growing close to Him through his word and daily time spent together. It's a choice we have to make, and sometimes a tough one for sure. But I am convinced that if we choose to make time spent with God and His Word a priority in our lives, that if we focus on Him...we choose to make Him the main subject of our image...that soon we will begin to see changes in our lives. We'll begin to see the entire picture clearly, and the things that matter most will become most clear to us while the rest begins to blur into the background.
