Correcting our focus
A successful athlete's focus is not so much on winning but doing things right.
Chris Nicholson, is a dual Olympian (speed skating and cycling) as well as a member of a world champion ice racing team. In an interview he was relating a story when he did some years on the European cycling circuit. He was operating on a shoestring and had to make sure he regularly achieved a placing because prize money was his main source of funding. The comment by the interviewer was “That was probably good motivation”.
He indicated that it was actually not at all good motivation because he was so focused on the results that he was in danger of forgetting proper technique. A popular understanding of sports psychology is that you have some quack getting you to visualize crossing the finish line, but in reality it is about helping to sharpen an athlete's mind so that they focus on the things that matter. In other words, you can spend time worry about future results and not do the things in the here and now which, while not guaranteeing success, if you lose focus guarantee less than optimal results.
The same could be said in regards to our walk with God. So often we focus on being "superstar" Christians, and yet neglect the day to day disciplines that will actually deepen our relationship with Him, our understanding of His Word and how to live it out in our lives.
Join our forum to discuss what things we need to focus on to grow in our relationship with Christ.