Focus On One Thing

I've been reading this book, 10 Things Every Minister Needs To Know, my good friend Tim gave me last year for a Pastor Appreciation gift. It is a quick read that I would suggest to anyone, especially if you are a worker in a church.
The first chapter is what I would like to highlight today. It's called "The Power of One Hour." Here are a few quotes and then I will give my retrospection on the subject:

• "When you focus for a set amount of time, this difference elevates into becoming an impact. When discipline joins focus, you can change your world..."
• "I cannot expect to change 'the world' until I let God have more than ample opportunity to 'change my world by changing me first.'"
• "As your walk with God goes, so goes the rest of your life."
• "If you want to see what God will do through you, it all begins with what God is doing in you."
• "If you give yourself to doing anything for one hour a day consistently, you have the potential to become an expert. You have the potential to become proficient in something that you may know little about today."

I lead a small Bible study group of people in their 20's and 30's on Sunday mornings. This last couple of weeks we have been discussing growing in our relationship with God. One of the exercises that the book we're using asks us to do is to have a time of "solitude" for at least an hour, but preferably a half of a day. How many people do you think accomplished this task? Zero! Not even me and I lead the group. Now given, it is the Holidays and it's been really busy, but not even an hour... I did have one person who tried to cram it in on Sunday morning right before they came, but even then they were only able to spend fifty minutes instead of the minimal hour. How negligent is that on my part. If the statement indeed be true that "I cannot expect to change 'the world' until I let God have more than ample opportunity to 'change my world by changing me first,'" I'm not doing a very good job at being a world changer. (Jesus help me to be better!)

How true it is though that one hour of focused tenacity can make a big difference. Why do we let ourselves get so distracted by the menial things of life. The things we really want and desire get put to the side, because they actually take a little work. In this microwave world of "now mentalities," if something takes much time and effort we abhor it. For instance, I would like to become a better musician, but it seems I can spend a maximum of 30 minutes playing before I feel I need to be doing something else, even then it's probably only once a week.

Therefore, with all that is in me, I am going to strive to spend a focused hour daily this new year on things I truly want to accomplish. Here's my list:

1. My relationship with my Creator and Lord Jesus Christ.
2. My relationship with my family.
3. Being a better youth pastor.
   
4. Becoming proficient in playing the guitar and bass.
5. Getting into shape. (Of course I can't leave this one out!)

May God give you a blessed 2009!

System of Governement

I'm not a huge Richard Dreyfuss fan, but I found this interview with Mike Huckabee pretty thought provoking. What are your thoughts?