The Catholic Defender: Focus

Focus is such an important word that describes so much for any issue. From the dictionary it states:

1. The center of interest or activity.

2. The state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition.

To place this more in focus, "1a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention the focus of the meeting was drug abuse which put immigration into focus as a hot topic for commentators. b : a point of concentration. 2 : directed attention : emphasis - The focus is on helping the homeless."

When I think of placing things in focus, I like to illustrate getting your eyes checked. The attendant will find the best lens that sharpens your vision. Hopefully, they can get your eyes focused enough to get you 20/20 vision.

We see more clearly when we are focused on issues that require our concentration. Proverbs 16:3 gives a healthy perspective for us, "Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed." That should be the ultimate goal for any Christian.

One of my favorite scripture that speak to this is Romans 12:2, "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." We must stay focused on what our faith teaches or you will fall.

Since we are describing faith, putting our faith in focus, we have our own acronym to dig deeper into what we mean:

1. Focus

2. Aim

3. Intensity

4. Truth

5. Heart

By placing our faith in focus we are looking to see with critical analysis why we are Catholic. Unfortunately, many have fallen away because they never placed their faith in focus. Actually, I question if they really ever had their eyes open because they have blinded themselves claiming to be wise they became fools instead as the bible says.

In the military, it is always important to take aim when you have a target. In sports I've heard it said that you must aim high to get where you want to achieve a goal. Aim high because you do not want to underrate your goal. If you are hoping to win a woman's heart, do you want to really aim low? You probably will not be successful getting a date that way. It Patrick Mahomes throws a football 80 yds down the field and he does not lead where his receiver is running, most likely it will be incomplete. Matthew 6:21 states, "For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."

Titus 2:7-8 states, “Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.” Integrity is central in our Christian faith, this is such a part of us that people know us by what we say, by what we do, and by what we love.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John 14:6. That does not provide much wiggle room to turn to other "truth's" as today there are well over 40,000 denominations of Protestants. There are so many voices out there trying to win you over to their "truth". Jesus is the only one that matters and that is why it is important that we recognize what Jesus did. He established one Truth, the Catholic faith. There is no other.

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, "With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life." How important it is to guard your heart. Matthew 22: 34-37 Jesus states, "When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them [a scholar of the law]* tested him by asking, “Teacher,* which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." If we do just what Jesus instructs here, we will have our focus, aim, integrity, truth, and heart.

Deepertruths upcoming series "The Faith Blaster" has much potential to be a great encouragement for anyone looking to deepen their faith. Maybe even finding their faith.