September 30, 2026 “Some of the cool fungi I saw along the trail when I stopped focusing exclusively on where I was going and started focusing on my surroundings.” That was the text I posted on social media along with photos of tiny purple, yellow and bright red/orange fungi I found while walking a wooded trail a month ago. I tend to be very focused on my destinations. When I was walking that trail, I was on my way to a swimming spot I visited regularly all summer. When I hiked the trail to my swimming spot, I didn’t spend much time looking around. I was just focused on getting to my swimming spot. When I go on a road trip, I don’t stop often or take the longer, more scenic route. I’m typically focused on where I’m going and the best way to get there, which usually – to me – means the most efficient way. It struck me recently that I’m very goal oriented and destination focused in most areas of my life, but I’m not when I consider my efforts to follow Jesus and allow Him to get me to heaven. In my faith journey, I lose sight of the destination – heaven and eternal life with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Instead, I tend to get bogged down focusing on all the things I do that will prevent me from getting there – my sinfulness, my bad habits, my pride, my attachment to my will… and my unworthiness. So, instead of focusing on eternal life with Jesus and trusting Jesus to get me there, I have a habit of making it all about me – about the things I think I should be doing or not be doing. I think and act like someone who thinks she can get herself to heaven. God is calling me – and all of us – to repent of our sinful natures, but I don’t think He wants that to be our first thought when we think of our faith journeys. I think He’d rather have us focus on His mercy and what He’s done to win salvation for us and what He continues to do in our lives. He’ll take care of getting us where we’re going. |
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