Gracious Heavenly Father,

When I look to your people I see men and women who struggled with focus.

• I think of Adam and Eve losing focus and forgetting your care. That did not turn out well for them.
• I recall Cain with his offering of convenience not of sacrifice. His anger at your displeasure did not turn out well for him.
• I think of Nimrod and his decedents who wanted to make themselves great as they built a tower. That did not turn out well for them.
• I recall Abram and Sarai taking God’s promise into their own hands and trying to work it out with human wisdom. That did not turn out well for them or Hagar and Ishmael.
• I think of Jacob’s sons and all their self-serving actions. Things did not turn out well for them either.
• I think of David thinking of himself, his pleasure, his reputation. That event did not turn out well for him.
• I think of Israel and Judah over and over again serving their desires over God’s will. It does not turn out good for them.
• I recall Peter losing sight of Jesus and sinking. I remember him denying Jesus three times. He learns that such actions did not turn out well for him.
• I think of Judas as he considers himself alone as he betrays Jesus. It does not turn out well for him.

God, I recognize a pattern. A pattern that should remind me to change my focus from me to You. Father, help me, help us all, look to You and You alone for direction in our life. Specifically, help us know that is not in man to direct his steps.  Help us recall that the way that seems right to humanity, may very well be a way of destruction.

Father, I long to follow Your Way, Your Truth, and Your Life – keep me on track. Please forgive me when I lose focus.

In Jesus’ name.