Adjusting Focus

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

—John 20:21-22 NLT

Greatness is not developed by examining the things other people are doing with their lives. We already know that community is important. Everyone has gifts and callings that contribute to a generally bigger picture. Many times, we all will even have to look to others for motivation, inspiration, or support. Nevertheless, the more time one spends focusing on what their neighbor is doing (or not doing), the less focus is being given to their own path. Your ability to be great is contingent on your determination to focus wholeheartedly on bettering yourself, your performance, and your life.

In our reference verses today, Peter had just been told he would deny Jesus three times. Peter responded to this news by asking Jesus about John: What about John? Is he going to deny somebody too? If you know about the lives of the disciples after Jesus’ time on earth, Peter went on to become a very credible type of evangelist/apostle/preacher while John went on to become a teacher and apostle, but also a prophet of some sort (writing the book of Revelations; revelations he received from God). The point is, Peter and John’s life paths were not very similar at all. Therefore, Peter had no reason to be focusing on the events of John’s life at the expense of focusing on the requirements of his own calling.

For this reason, Jesus responded to Peter by saying, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” Jesus was basically saying to Peter that whether John would deny Jesus or be exalted by Jesus was none of Peter’s concern. Jesus knew that Peter had a challenging life journey ahead of him, full of many trials and tests that would prepare him for the full responsibilities of his life’s assignment. It was of paramount importance for Peter to focus on his own journey instead of that of John’s.

Lately, I join in with many who share inspiration drawn from the life achievements of the late Kobe Bryant. One thing to be admired about Kobe and most organically successful athletes (or winners in every area of life) is that these great winners focus on what they are bringing to the table one thousand times more than they focus on what others are doing. Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.” Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” As for you and me, let us keep these things and these verses in mind as we resolve in our minds to manage our own life purposes with diligence and focus. What are you focusing on this week? Adjust your focus solely to your divine purpose and whatever it is you are aiming to accomplish.

Lots of Love, XO