Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27; Matthew 14:22-32

Mara climbed up onto the beam Dad had built for her. She was determined to make the school gymnastics team, but after taking a few steps, she wobbled and nearly slipped off. "Focus your eyes on that picture you put up," Mom said.

While staring at the picture on the wall across the room, Mara slowly lifted her foot. But when she glanced back at her mother, she tilted to the left and then swayed to the right. She tried to regain her balance, but had to hop down to keep from toppling off the beam. She climbed back up. "I'm gonna get this," she said. "I just have to focus."

After dinner that evening, Dad opened his Bible and handed it to Mara. "Why don't you read a few verses from Proverbs for us?"

"Okay." Mara took the Bible and began to read. When she finished, she looked up. "Proverbs 4:25 sounds like good advice for gymnastics. I need to look straight ahead and keep my eyes from wandering. Every time I lose my focus, I lose my balance."

Mom nodded. "I have trouble with that too."

"You do?" Mara grinned. "Do you get up on the beam and practice when I'm not around?"

Mom laughed. "No, but I have trouble in another area. As Christians, we need to keep our focus on Jesus so we don't get distracted by things in this world and lose our balance in life."

Mara thought about that. "When I practice for gymnastics, I stare at that picture on the wall. But how do we focus on Jesus?"

"Good question," said Dad. "The passage you just read listed some ways to do that. Do you remember what it said we should do?"

"I know!" said Mara's little brother. "It said we should pay attention to what God says."

"And keep it in our hearts and not let it out of our sight," added Mara.

Dad nodded. "Right. That means putting our faith in Jesus and looking to His Word for guidance in our lives. It also means confessing our sins to Jesus and trusting Him for the power to obey Him and show His love to others. Focusing our lives on Him will keep us in perfect balance."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Do you focus on Jesus as you go about each day? Do you remember all He's done for you and the love and forgiveness you have in Him? Do you trust Him to help you turn from sin and treat others with kindness? There are lots of things that need our daily attention, but don't let them draw you away from what's really important. Stay focused on Jesus and depend on Him to help you in every area of life.

Today's Key Verse:
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. (NIV) (Proverbs 4:25)

Today's Key Thought:
Focus on Jesus