“Don’t think about what can happen in a month. Don’t think about what can happen in a year. Just focus on the twenty-four hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be.” ~ Unknown
If you give me a piece of paper and a pen and tell me to write down the things that I need to consider today, I would pause for a brief moment and then begin to pour things onto the paper. I would write and write and write some more. Everything that I wrote down would most likely prompt follow-up writings. That’s just the kind of person that I am.
And, I am sure, it is also the kind of person many others are as well. We all have the tendency to think too much, to dwell on things, to make to-do lists. In all the thinking, in all the dwelling, in all the list-making, there is a danger than nothing will actually be accomplished. We are too busy making lists to actually begin doing anything.
We should do everything possible to keep on task rather than to get distracted by what else could or should be accomplished. Distraction, after all, is one of the devil’s favorite tools. We often think of the devil attacking people. That is not his style. He is much more subtle than that. He would rather sneak in by keeping us distracted. After all, if he can distract us from our task, he will be able to keep us off track to the Kingdom of God. It is so easy, in our world and in our human condition, to lose focus. That is why we need to do all that we can to keep on task.
Do not worry about tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. They will get here eventually and we can deal with them when they arrive. Do not be overwhelmed by yesterday, either. It is over and nothing can change it. Instead, look at the task for the day, keep focused on the task for the day, and accomplish the task for the day.
One day at a time is how we will reach the Kingdom. One day at a time is also how we will defeat our enemy who constantly attempts to keep us off track.
FAITH ACTION: Schedule a time to pray today so that you may keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Try not to be distracted by other things while in prayer.