It’s been a while since I’ve shot a gun but I really enjoy doing it. I enjoy it for a lot of reasons but one thing I like about it is the necessity to focus while you’re doing it. All of your energy becomes very concentrated very quickly. If you want to hit your target, you must do a few things really well. Your breathing must be controlled. Your hands must be steady. Your gaze must be locked in and you must pull the trigger precisely. I’m working through the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and his 44th resolution was…

Resolved, That no other end but religion shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it.

Focus. His commitment was to Jesus and he resolved at an early age that it would stay there. He decided what the target was and fully intended on hitting it. I think that sometimes I am more like a machine gun then a sniper rifle. I’m spraying a lot of shots in the right general direction but I lack focus. I may hit the target but it’s quite possible that I won’t. I hear Edwards saying that he wanted to be a sniper rifle. One solitary shot right into the center of the target. Of course, this isn’t to say that we shouldn’t make mistakes or that we need to be perfect. I just mean that our focus should be narrow when it comes to purpose.

For those of us who claim to live for Jesus, have we decided that it’s all about him? Our relationships….what we choose to eat….our spending….what we read…what we watch….our thoughts….desires…ambitions….is it all for him? Those who have the greatest impact make the decision to focus. Will we make that same choice?