The Key to Success: Discipline of Focus

Heading: The Key to Success: Discipline of Focus

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1. Focus sharpens your vision and keeps you on track towards your goals.

2. Focus allows you to channel your energy and efforts towards what truly matters.

3. Focus helps you prioritize tasks and avoid wasting time on distractions.

4. Focus builds resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

5. Focus enables you to achieve excellence and reach your full potential.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide me in cultivating the discipline of focus in all aspects of my life. Help me to fix my eyes on the goals you have set before me and grant me the strength to stay committed and steadfast in pursuing them. Amen.

My story

I was born into a family filled with ambition and drive. Success was always the end goal, and from a young age, I was taught the importance of hard work and dedication. But as I navigated through the ups and downs of life, I came to realize that success wasn't just about achieving wealth or status.

It was during a pivotal moment in my life that I truly understood the meaning of success. I had been chasing after material success, constantly striving to climb the corporate ladder and accumulate more wealth. But despite my achievements, I felt a sense of emptiness and discontent that I couldn't shake.

It was then that I realized that true success was about more than just external accomplishments. It was about finding fulfillment and purpose in my life, and about pursuing my passions and dreams with unwavering dedication.

I made the decision to refocus my priorities and pursue a career that aligned with my values and beliefs. It wasn't an easy road, and there were many obstacles and challenges along the way. But through hard work, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to my goals, I was able to carve out a path that was uniquely my own.

As I journeyed through life, I learned that success wasn't a destination, but a continual journey of growth and self-discovery. It was about having the discipline of focus to stay true to my values and goals, even in the face of adversity.

Today, I am grateful for the lessons I have learned along the way and for the wisdom that has come from those experiences. I have come to understand that true success is about living a life that is authentic and meaningful, and about finding joy and fulfillment in the journey itself. And with each day that passes, I am reminded that success is not measured by the wealth or accolades we accumulate, but by the impact we have on the world and the lives we touch along the way.

Comments

Restoring Relationships

Last Tuesday, during Eskom’s Stage 6 load-shedding, I sat in my dimly lit Akasia living room, staring at a WhatsApp message from my cousin Thabo. Our once-close bond had fractured over a political debate—ANC vs. EFF—that spiraled into personal jabs. His text read: *“You’ve become a coconut, bra. Black on the outside, white-washed inside.”* My reply? A venomous *“At least I’m not a populist clown.”* Pride, that sly serpent, had coiled around our tongues. But as the generator hummed and my coffee cooled, Colossians 3:13 flickered in my mind like a candle in the dark: *“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”* Unconditional. No asterisks. No “but he started it.” Just grace. **II. The Theology of Broken Pipes** South Africa knows fractures. Our Vaal River, choked by sewage and neglect, mirrors relational toxicity—grievances left to fester. Yet, Christ’s forgiveness isn’t a passive drip; it’s a flash flood. To “bear with one another” (Colossians 3:13) is to choo...

Cultivating Patience

## The Divine Delay: When God Hits Pause on Your Breakthrough (From My Akasia Veranda) Brothers, sisters, let me tell you, this Highveld sun beating down on my veranda in Akasia isn’t just baking the pavement. It’s baking my *impatience*. You know the feeling? You’ve prayed, you’ve declared, you’ve stomped the devil’s head (in the spirit, naturally!), yet that breakthrough? It feels like waiting for a Gautrain on a public holiday schedule – promised, but mysteriously absent. Psalm 27:14 shouts: *"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage!"* But waiting? In *this* economy? With Eskom plunging us into darkness and the price of a loaf of bread climbing faster than Table Mountain? It feels less like divine strategy and more like celestial sabotage. I get it. Just last week, stuck in the eternal queue at the Spar parking lot (seems half of Tshwane had the same pap-and-chops craving), watching my dashboard clock tick towards yet another loadshedding slot, my ow...

Rejecting Shame Through Identity in Christ

I live in Akasia, Tshwane, where the jacarandas paint Pretoria’s streets with purple hope each spring. From my modest home, I watch the city hum—buses rattling down Paul Kruger Street, hawkers calling out at the Wonderpark Mall, and the chatter of students spilling from TUT’s gates. Life here is vibrant, yet beneath the surface, many of us carry an unseen weight: shame. It’s a thief that whispers lies about our worth, chaining us to past mistakes or societal labels. As a Christian writer, I’ve wrestled with this shadow myself, and I’ve learned that only one truth can break its grip—our identity in Christ. Let me take you on a journey through my own story, weaving it with the tapestry of South African life and the radiant promise of Scripture, to confront shame and embrace who we are in Him. ### A Personal Tale of Shame’s Grip A few years ago, I stood at a crossroads. I’d just lost a job I loved—a writing gig at a local magazine in Pretoria. The editor said my work was “too confro...

The Chronicles of Load-Shedding . Harold Mawela

Search This Blog