The Power of Concentration in Achieving Goals

Daily Devotional – Thursday, January 5, 2023
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
Proverbs 4: 25-26 (NKJV)

The day was over but I had not achieved anything concrete. I had done bits of this and that but could not put a finger on any complete task. Later that evening, I reflected on the day and concluded I had failed to harness the power of concentration.

The Significance of Attentiveness

Over time, I have realized that whenever I have no clear daily goals or targets, I end up achieving little or nothing. Further, even with clear goals, if I fail to focus on the task, I make no meaningful progress.

King Solomon emphasized the importance of attentiveness when he stated, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.” (Proverbs 4: 25-26).

Focus and the Magnifying Glass

A person who looks straight ahead while walking has no time for distractions. The eyes focus on only the task at hand. The mind ponders the challenge and devises solutions. That way, the individual attains his or her goals.

A good example is lighting a fire using a magnifying glass. The more you direct the sun’s rays on an object, the faster that object will ignite. The secret is in directing the rays of the sun through the glass onto the object.

Concentration and Life Goals

In setting and implementing life goals, we can benefit immensely from Solomon’s counsel. Often, failure is a result of being jacks-of-all-trades. Instead of choosing a career, goal or task and focusing on it, we spread ourselves thin.

However, when we put our minds, emotions and physical efforts on one objective we are efficient and effective. Whatever we focus on multiplies. Where energy flows, growth results. It is better to have a few definite targets and pursue them than many vague ones that sap our energy without producing the desired results.

The Power of Concentration in Achieving Goals

In the spiritual realm, concentration is equally important. Paul affirms, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14). The ultimate focus of our lives should be eternal life.

Hence, from the onset of this New Year, we must select and concentrate on a few most important goals and targets. God has wired our brains to zero in on one or a few tasks at a time. That way, we can harness the power of concentration in achieving our goals.

Prayer
Almighty Father, help me to look straight ahead and concentrate on eternal life and the goals I have set for this year.