Where is your attention right now? Is it caught up in the chaos of all the recent changes we’ve experienced as a nation? With all the media hype, it would be difficult to not feel at least a little anxious about what’s coming next. I guess a person could avoid it all by immersing themselves in mindless games on the internet. Or possibly join a monastery or ashram. But attempts to evade an issue generally only forestall the inevitable. What holds my attention is crucial to my mental and relational health. It begs the question; do I keep my eye on what’s truly important? Am I faithful in my focus?
Earlier this week, I listened to the audiobook of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Even though I’ve read the book many years ago and watched the subsequent movie, the ending still made me cry. I’ll not ruin it for you if you’ve not read it yet. But I will say, the book’s primary message has stuck with me for years.
Your car goes where your eyes go.
In racing, they say your car goes where your eyes go. The driver who cannot tear his eyes away from the wall as he spins out of control will meet that wall; the driver who looks down the track as he feels his tires break free will regain control of his vehicle.
Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain
Are we so used to staring at the wall that we can’t take our eyes from it? What if there was a better way to navigate the barriers in our lives rather than plowing headlong into them?
King David gave the answer over 3000 years ago when he penned these words.
I praise you Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.
Psalm 16:7-9 CEV
Did you catch that? David kept his focus on God. And when he did, God offered him rest and protection from fear. Now that didn’t mean God eliminated every danger around David. For at least fifteen years, King Saul pursued David and attempted to kill him on several occasions. Even after David was crowned king, conflicts continued in the land.
So, when King David kept his focus on God, he was able to navigate the barriers in his life and keep on track with peace of mind. But when David allowed his eyes to crave Bathsheba, another man’s wife . . . he crashed into the wall. Although, when David admitted his wrongdoing and turned back to God, He forgave him and referred to David as “a man after my own heart”.
Your car goes where your eyes go.
I’m not so brazen as to tell you that I always keep my eyes on the Lord to guide my heart and mind. My eyes wander, just like King David. I put my attention on the wrong things, make bad choices, and sometimes God allows me to crash into a wall of my own doing.
Am I faithful in my focus? Not always. But I know the best choice for my attention is Jesus. For when I fail, He always welcomes me home with open arms and offers me rest and protection from fear . . . no matter what chaos surrounds me.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourself flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline in your souls.
Hebrews 12:2-3 The Message Bible
*Photos courtesy of Canva
