Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (Josh. 1:7)
IT HAS BEEN A DELIGHT TO WATCH our son, Ben, develop his craft as a photographer. We still remember his early days with a camera. Sometimes it seemed that Ben was more interested in the sound of the camera snapping than with the subject of his shots. But over time, Ben’s photography became far less random. He developed a dedicated focus on the subjects of his pictures that requires a deeper exploration of the subject—sometimes by changing lighting or how he frames a picture, other times by changing lenses or composition. There’s no question about it: A true focus is crucial to the success of a photographer.
God called His people to a more mature focus on His standards as they were about to enter the Promised Land. Success in occupying that land required that Israel no longer be distracted by mere circumstances. God would call them to focus on the subject at hand: the standards that would produce life together in a lasting covenant with Him.
Joshua and his people succeeded when their focus was fixed on God’s Word and ways. Ben’s photography business is growing because he has a proven ability to focus on what matters in a picture. We’re blessed because our son also has a life focus on Jesus Christ that is bringing him success as a husband, friend, and disciple.
Choose one challenging life circumstance, and refuse to let it hinder your focus on God.
Steve Wamberg is a husband, dad, writer, and pastor who loves his wife, kids and their spouses, preaching, teaching, music, coffee, friends, and Nebraska football.
