An Ocean’s Call to a Focused Life

I was at the ocean recently, which was a rare treat. As I lay on the sand, soaking in the sun, I noted all the sounds in the air: Murmurs of voices and shouts of playing children. Seagulls. The music from someone’s speaker. A plane overhead. But it was the sound of the waves I really wanted to focus on. The more I did, the more I felt my body relaxing, and my breath following the ocean’s natural rhythm. 

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

I wish it was easier to isolate only the sound of the ocean’s waves. I suppose if I really needed to do so, I would have to do something about it. Like leave the busy beach and go sailing! Just me and the wild ocean – learning to be one.

There are aspects to life, especially in relationship with God, that “sail-worthy” focus is important. It determines how conformed we will become to His image.

Of this, Lilias Trotter wrote in her most excellent article: “Focussed – A Story and a Song:”

“For if the Sun of Righteousness has risen upon our hearts, there is an ocean of grace and love and power lying all around us, an ocean to which all earthly light is but a drop, and it is ready to transfigure us, as the sunshine transfigured the dandelion, and on the same condition – that we stand full face to God.

Gathered up, focussed lives, intent on one aim – Christ – these are the lives on which God can concentrate blessedness. It is “all for all” by a law as unvarying as any law that governs the material universe.”

I had a lesson early this year, when I was convinced the Lord wants me to take on a new writing project: one that needs a lot of research and time. While I didn’t want to stop studying and writing about the Song of Songs, it was clear I couldn’t do both, and I would be back to the Song when He says it’s time. Even though there is much “good” in the Song, ultimately the “best” is only what God wants us to do – not the good we think we should do.

Lilias Trotter went on to say:

“We see the principle shadowed in the trend of science; the telephone and the wireless in the realm of sound, the use of radium and the ultra violet rays in the realm of light. All these work by gathering into focus currents and waves that, dispersed, cannot serve us. In every branch of learning and workmanship the tendency of these days is to specialize – to take up one point and follow it to the uttermost.”

But beware. If you have ever set your mind to seek God with all your heart, and obey Him in some area, it will sometimes feel like hell is breaking loose! I’m reminded in this season that resistance is to be expected; otherwise it’s easy to get discouraged and resort to vanity. Lilias continues:

“Satan knows well the power of concentration; if a soul is likely to get under the sway of the inspiration, “this one thing I do,” he will turn all his energies to bring in side-interests that will shatter the gathering intensity.

And they lie all around, these interests. Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once – art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the “good” hiding the “best” even more effectually than it could be hidden by downright frivolity with its smothered heart-ache at its own emptiness.”

And finally, we are given a powerful test to know what our focus is (if any) and how to get back on track if we are drifting:

“It is easy to find out whether our lives are focussed, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day? Does this test not give the clue? Then dare to have it out with God – and after all, that is the shortest way. Dare to lay bare your whole life and being before Him, and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focussed on Christ and His glory.”

In summary, God is able to push an ocean of transformation through the tiniest channel of concentration on Him. Pray to this end, that we be a focused people! I don’t know about you, but I need a lot of help sorting out things that matter for eternity, from things that don’t.

Life is too precious, and the battle too fierce, to not put in our all.

P.S. To read the rest of the article, (and learn more about Lilias Trotter!) please visit the link at my sister Lynette Woods’ website, Unveiling.org, by clicking HERE.