I had the opportunity to go fishing in the Gulf of America a couple weeks ago. I was there was a couple friends from Fort Worth.
Each morning we would get up early, have breakfast, and head out for the fishing grounds with high expectations.
Once we got in the boat, nothing else seemed to matter. We were out to catch some fish. High winds? No problem. Rough water? Oh, the boat will handle it. Oil tankers in our way? We will find a way around. Too many sharks in the water? We will just go to the next marker on the graph. We were focused and determined to find those fish and excited to figure out a way to get them in the boat.
To say we were singleminded is a great description of our time each day in the gulf.
The question I keep asking myself now is this: Am I that single-minded about my walk as a Christian? When I get up in the morning, am I focused and anxiously anticipating the day ahead? Am I considering my behavior and the words I will use that day? Am I thinking about those souls that I will encounter, and how I might guide them along their pathway? Am I using my time wisely, and remembering to study and pray?
The apostle Paul in Philippians 3 reminds us of the importance of staying single-minded. Of keeping our eyes on the prize and making sure the main thing remains the main thing.
“More than that, I count ALL things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I MAY GAIN CHRIST.” Philippians 3:8 Friends, let us not let the world and its many “bells, whistles, and shining objects” distract us from our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.