Stay focused!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1 : 17

Good morning to you all. This is another wonderful story I got from the Internet.

General Bradford was definitely an unusual general. He was known far and wide for both his infinite patience and love as well as for His justice and wrath. His soldiers loved him dearly and for good cause. His orders were always good, and he personally found a way to care for each of the soldiers who volunteered for his little band.

Michael had recently joined his band, and was now quite anxious to prove himself a good soldier. His first task was to learn to march. “The key to marching is to stay focused and to listen for my commands constantly,” the general explained. “See that distant horizon? Fasten your eyes fifteen degrees above the horizon line. Don’t let them wander to the circumstances or people around you. Keep your eyes focused above the horizon, and your ears tuned to my voice. You’ll find that many, many things will try to distract you.” Michael couldn’t imagine anything distracting him from the horizon or the general's voice. He’d soon find out, however, just how easily he could get distracted. The first time Michael actually had the opportunity to march, he lifted his knees up nearly to his chest each step in an effort to look like a good marcher. He desperately wanted to do a good job to please the general! The general shook his head and gently admonished the young private, “Don’t let your desire to show off distract you. True marching isn’t about lifting those knees in show; it’s about putting one step in front of the other in sync with my commands.”

Michael hung his head. He had allowed the thought of what others would think to distract him from really doing his job. Michael tried again, this time not worrying about how he looked.

We have a beautiful thing to learn today. In fact it is a great learning for me too. I was disturbed a lot by some factors. When I shared about it to my friend, he sent me a wonderful quote which he got from the one he admires. The quote is this. “You can accomplish much if you don't care who gets the credit.” And he added this too. “I prefer to simply do my job as best I can, and let that speak for itself.” I thanked him wholeheartedly for sending this. This is what the above story also conveys. I believe that this is yet another confirmation from my Lord asking me not to keep looking on what others will think of me. Another example for this is, my friends at my fellowship do each and every single thing as much as they can, but most of them never showed them up on stage. Many times, their efforts may not be visible to the audience. But I’m sure that the Lord sees it all and will definitely bless them for their unseen works. Now I somehow prepared myself to give out my best in whatever I do, with whomever I got assigned and wherever He places me. When we do our best for the glory of Lord, He is able to lift us up at the right time, no matter whether anyone notices our work or not. I’ve experienced this many times in my life. Friends, please do not give up. Give your best for His glory and honor. He alone knows when and how to exalt you. As James 1 : 17 says, all the good and perfect things will come only from the Creator and not from any creation. No one can ever hijack your blessings. Stay focused!