Listen to a professional athlete, actor, leader and they will often say a key to their success is found in their focus. I believe what is true in the practical is clearly seen in the spiritual. The gospels noted on a few occasions how Jesus focused His direction and “set Himself to go to Jerusalem…”

The following are a couple focus points that I keep before me, espe-cially in these times:

Focus on EVIDENCES of God’s PRESENCE rather than what may seem as EVIDENCES of His ABSENCE.

Focus on God as the source of your life, rather than random circumstances.

Focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have.

Focus on what you know, not the things that bring doubt.

Growing up sports were my IT. Coaches my heroes. Basketball was my favorite sport and I had two great coaches. In college it was Coach Larry Hinshaw, in high school it was Coach Jim Bair. Coach Bair arrived in 1974, prior to my senior year and he was hired to rebuild the flat Clackamas basketball program. We had an underwhelming start to our season be-fore winning seven of our last ten games. Six years later, Coach Bair was named Coach of the Year in the greater Portland Metropolitan area in Ore-gon. Coach B was interviewed by The Oregonian newspaper and said: “The first group of kids I had at Clackamas was a very talented group,” Bair said. “But there are so many things other than pure physical skill we had to work on in those early years – things like attitude and we are always working on it.” There is that attitude thing again. I read what he said about our team and cut it out. It was a jolting assessment that has stuck with me. Talent and skill will seldom trump attitude. Attitude is critical. Everyone has one. We carry it around and it is seen by all. There is the GOOD, BAD and CHRIST-LIKE attitude. GOOD - PMA=Positive Mental Attitude. Happy, positive, fun! Many can develop this. BAD - Negative, selfish, self-seeking, self-promoting, critical, prideful, judgmental…an ugly list. CHRIST-LIKE à Paul said in Philippians 2:5, “Your ATTITUDE should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” These are Christ honoring attitudes so what do they look like? Humility. Philippians 2:3b & 8b “He humbled Himself…!” Jesus humbled Himself, to the point of dying on the cross for you and me. Did you know the bible almost always talks about us humbling ourselves? I Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves….” It starts with our attitude and moves to action. It’s been said, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” I’m convinced, “Humility looks good on anybody.” Probably because it looks like Jesus.

Listen to a professional athlete, actor, leader and they will often say a key to their success is found in their focus. I believe what is true in the practical is clearly seen in the spiritual. The gospels noted on a few occasions how Jesus focused His direction and “set Himself to go to Jerusalem…”

The following are a couple focus points that I keep before me, espe-cially in these times:

Focus on EVIDENCES of God’s PRESENCE rather than what may seem as EVIDENCES of His ABSENCE.

Focus on God as the source of your life, rather than random circumstances.

Focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have.

Focus on what you know, not the things that bring doubt.

Consider other’s better, Philippians 2:3-4 “…but in humility, consider others better than yourselves.” Only humble people can see others in the areas they are better in than themselves. Many want to find fault with or pull-down others so they can feel better about them-selves. Jesus was all about lifting people up, seeing the best in them so we can see the best in others. We choose to grow in this attitude because we see the value and image of God in everyone. It’s not about me, Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This happens to the degree one is willing to step into another person’s world as Jesus stepped into ours. We listen to their story, get to know them, hear their joys, dreams and yes, their secret hurts and pangs of suffer-ing. As we daily walk with Jesus, His words and calling echo through our lives. Like Him, we are people who come to serve, not be served. We will push the pause button here and return to see more of Jesus’ attitudes actions.