If you’re a fellow one-word enthusiast, you know you don’t choose your word.

It chooses you.

“Becoming” acknowledges I’m a work in progess. It’s both gutsy and honest, as I’m transformed by God’s grace.

But distractions are my nemesis.

As I consider my list of must-do and want-to-dos, priorities shift.

There’s a fragile dance going on in my desires. When God leads, the must-do’s get done. If I lead, the want-to-dos become must do’s and it’s not a pretty sight.

Perhaps you have 20/20 vision with a penchant for victory when it comes to focus. But if you occasionally veer off track (like me), it helps to consider what Christ has done.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:2 NLT)

Tough times, too many tasks or not enough patience can give me pause.

But Jesus endured. Through the worst of times and the loneliest of times, He kept His focus.

The possibility of failure or the reality of a huge mistake can leave me battling shame or second thoughts.

But Christ disregarded the shame of the Cross. For the sinless Savior, potential embarrassment was not an excuse. He never lost sight of where He was headed.

The joy set before Him outshined the temporary troubles around Him.

Jesus focused on doing the will of His Father and securing salvation for you and me. Seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne, meant what He finished was final.

What would we secure if we kept godly focus?

Just to name a few, we could be “seated” with peace of mind, a completed project or a relationship goal accomplished — if we keep our eyes on Jesus and the way He modeled focus.

And yet, as I consider who I’m becoming, the list of must-dos continues to grow.

Earlier this year, I became a licensed minister. The closer I came to completing the program at my church, the more distractions crowded the dance of my desires. Life’s demands were unrelenting.

However, as my focus went into high gear, my dependency on God deepened.

It required more attention to His promises and more time spent in prayer.

Keeping my eyes on Jesus is both a want-to-do and a must-do. Otherwise, a look away from Him is always costly.

It costs losing the fruit of a blessing only obedience can form.

It costs the commodity of time, unwisely spent in frivolous pursuits.

When my spiritual sight is blurred, my mind begins to wonder how I can control things; instead of being aware of who God is in all things. (see 1Chronicles 29:11)

And yet, focus calls.

Jesus calls. He initiates and perfects our faith. There is a joy He has set before us.

As the fourth quarter approaches, I’m becoming more focused on Him. It would be a shame to miss His offer of hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

This post is part of the Becoming More series. Read more posts in the series here!

The winner of last week’s drawing is Raynette!