BE SINGLE-EYED 2

“So, Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. …And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So, David took them off.” ~ I Samuel 17:38-39

REFERENCE:

I Samuel 17:32-40

One terrible thing that can befall a man is a lack of focus. It characterizes his life with a series of failures and frustration. Focusing on one thing does not mean you can’t do other things; it means concentrating all your time and effort on the one you believe will stand you out. If you do well in that one, nobody asks if you can do other things, they will celebrate you for that one. Nobody asks Ronaldo if he can sing, but the world celebrates his prowess in soccer. Bruce Lee said, “The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus.”

Our text reveals practical things you can do to become a single-eyed person. David would fight Goliath, but the first thing he did was avoid using any untested weapon. He worked with what had always worked for him. Notice it was said of Goliath in verse 33, “…he is a man of war from his youth.” It meant Goliath also focused on one thing from his youth; no wonder he became the Philistine champion. To become single-eyed:

a.     Do a Gifts Assessment: What are you good at? Write them out, and then find which one easily resonates with the direction you wish your life to go.

b.     Determine what is most important to you in life. What would you want to be known for? A great caterer, counselor, speaker, statistician, software developer, philanthropist, etc.

c.     Learn all you can about it. Read about people who are doing it. Get their mentorship.

d.     Practice it, and do it over and over again. Stay with it. Sometimes, results and rewards take years before they come.

e.     Stay with it, even when results delay, and refuse the temptation to try something else.

You wonder, “But I can do several things.” That’s fine, but it is best to be very good at one thing. I like to pastor, sing, talk, draw, learn, write, teach, make jokes, etc. I realize that by focusing on one – Pastoring – every other gift eventually finds expression in that. Pastoring helps me do all the things I love to do. Find that one thing that can open up the others. David was only a shepherd, and he did it well. In protecting the sheep, he became skilled at using the sling, and in herding them, God saw in David one who could lead Israel and made him their king.

Do you believe in what you are doing? Are you focused or distracted? Don’t waste your energy trying this and that. Drop whatever is irrelevant or takes your time; focus on your mission.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

James 1:6-8 and I Corinthians 15:58

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A CHARGE:

Do not be troubled thinking you have wasted your time. God will restore your wasted years; your investments will eventually turn out well. Your focus will pay off; your business will pick up, and your career will blossom. The world will acknowledge and celebrate you. You will not labor in vain. Henceforth, you will benefit from what you have planted, in Jesus’ name.