Do I have your attention?

Some time ago, I came across a statement by Samuel Goldwyn the co-founder of MGM studios). In regards to the success he had experienced throughout his life, he spoke about his focus and commitment. When it came to the attention he gave the moments before him — he said, “I’ve always considered what I was doing at the time to be the most important thing in the world.”

Can you imagine living with that kind of focus? What would life look like if it were unhindered by distraction? That sense of focus and dedication to the moments before him empowered him to give his best, to live and labor with purpose.

I wonder how much different our lives might be if we lived that way. What if we were to give our best (to give total attention) to that which was before us?

How much better would we be at listening and loving?

How much progress would we experience in our own spiritual growth if we were to give ourselves fully to studying the Word of God or practicing worship, or seeking God’s presence through prayer. Rather than allowing the news of the day, random thoughts, concerns about sports, or other things to draw us away from the more important disciplines — what if we gave ourselves to the tasks at hand.

Would our productivity increase?

Would our care for others deepen?

Would our focus change?

I think it would. I believe we would find ourselves honoring God and becoming even better stewards of our time, talents, and treasures. May we consider what we are given and the tasks before us to be valued at a higher level. And, may we eliminate the temptations of those daily distractions in our lives.