Focus and Routine

Focus is often difficult for many of us. Whether you have cancer or another life altering illness, our needs are the same with our walk with Jesus Christ. A while ago in my journey I would like to share some thoughts that were on my mind. I visited my doctor. Blood work all came back looking good. I gained 7 lbs. I didn’t want to gain too much but that is a good sign that I am feeling more comfortable eating. The exit of the food I eat has been more consistent. For that I have been thankful. I felt better than I had in months. The third round of Chemo was near.

I shared my thoughts at church during communion about the words focus and routine.

Focus is such an important part of our lives. The song that is linked to this entry (by Casting Crowns) says it better than I am able. Part of the song says “If your eyes are on the storm You’ll wonder if I love you still. But if your eyes are on the cross You’ll know I always have and I always will.”

I have focused both on the cross and the storm recently. My storm presently is cancer. My struggle though is no different than anyone else. The struggles are plenty in people’s lives. Divorce, finances, relationships are but a few that can become dominant in our thoughts and become our focus. They distract us from the truth in God’s Word. For a believer in Christ, I have found that if I am focusing on the storm, I wonder if God loves me and everything else is affected.

But, if my eyes are on the cross I know that God loves me and always will. How I keep that focus is continuing to read the Scriptures, listen to encouraging music and get great support from family and friends!!! The choice is ours.

Routine is also an important part of our lives. One of my favorite scriptures is Mark 1:35–36: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” (NIV). Jesus chose to focus on His relationship with His heavenly Father. He had a routine. It is interesting that in the midst of His routine, the busyness of life was fighting for attention.

The struggle of maintaining these soul nourishing routines was difficult before my cancer diagnosis. It continues to be a daily challenge. Not because of the cancer but because of the struggle between spirit and flesh. For a scriptural explanation of this check out Romans 7. If you have any thoughts or questions always happy to dialogue with you.

Focus and routine are such an important part of our lives. My hope is that my struggles with these will be an encouragement to you in your walk. Cancer has helped me focus on the important things in life and for that I am very thankful.

Thanks for listening -you are loved!

Mark