Formula One racecar drivers are trained to look where they want their cars to go. The professional driver is acutely aware of the wall, other cars and any special environmental factors.

But their focus is where they want their car to be in the future. Because of anxiety, a novice might be tempted to look at the wall and that would be a mistake.

Today's economy has many of the figurative "walls" which a Formula One driver must confront. Thanksgiving day and Black Friday sales were down about 10 percent from levels a year ago. 

International trade is collapsing. Manufacturing, housing starts and existing home sales are weak. Anemic commodity prices are creating havoc in developing and emerging economies and stress in the U.S. energy and mining sectors.

Political and social "walls" are also present. The political discord from the Syrian refugee influx could cause some countries to leave the European Union if the issues are not resolved. Turkey (a member of NATO) downed a Russian plane. Coordinated terrorists attacks killed many in Paris. A homicidal man killed and injured many in Colorado.

In the kingdom, we are told to be focused. Distraction is a key tool of the enemy. If he is able to get our attention on the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, he can steal our fruit. Kingdom citizens are called to focus on the promises of the Word.

He also who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful (Matt. 13:22).

As kingdom citizens, we are not to be anxious or worry. Instead we should focus on the Kingdom and the Lord's righteousness. Members of the Kingdom are promised provision.

"Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (For the Gentiles seek after all these things.) For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you" (Matt. 6:31-33).

David knew the secret of focus. While delivering grain and bread to his brothers in the army of Saul, he saw the Philistine champion. Goliath would taunt the armies of Israel by challenging them to send someone out to fight. An experienced soldier, Goliath was an imposing man who stood nearly 10 feet tall. Scholars have estimated that his armor and weapons weighed more than 300 pounds.

David was a shepherd. He had a sling and five stones. But David was focused on the God of Israel. He knew the power of the name of the Lord. David accepted the challenge, won the battle and saved a nation.

"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a shield, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have reviled. This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand. And I will strike you down and cut off your head. Then I will give the corpses of the Philistine camp this day to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the earth so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel'" (1 Sam. 17:45-46).

To accomplish all that God has called us to do, we need to focus on the right things. Like the Formula One racecar driver, our attention should be on where we want to be in the future. We cannot afford distractions that will cause us to veer off course. The promises of the Word and the power of the name of Jesus should fill our attention as we seek the kingdom and His righteousness.

"Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14).

Dr. James R. Russell is professor of economics and chair of the Undergraduate College of Business at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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