I admit that staying focused is a potential hindrance to my business and carrying out God’s work. It is something that could potentially be a problem for me every day. I realized this when I was attending a Deeper Life for Pastors and Ministers Class a couple of years ago. Apostle Elijah Forte (my spiritual leader) posed a question, “What is the biggest hindrance to your ministry?” to the class.
As a person with an entrepreneurial and creative spirit, ideas flow into my mind like water coming out of a faucet. It flows continuously. So much so sometimes I want to say, “Lord, please turn the faucet off for a minute so I can catch my breath.” I believe it is a gift that could feel like a curse if I do not take practical steps to control this flow of ideas. I could literally drown. Drowning from ideas or having too many tasks on my mind outwardly manifests into overwhelm, doubt, depression, anxiety and immobility.
The problem is not the flow of ideas. The problem is jumping from one idea to another before one reaches fruition. It is the same when one jumps from one task to another. Now, there are individuals out there who have no problem staying focused. Sometimes I say, “I wish I could be like them.” But I have to remind myself that that trait is not part of my design so move on.
So how do I handle this potential hindrance? First, I exercise my spiritual authority. I pray and ask God to give me revelation, strength, and wisdom to overcome this hindrance. I position myself to hear God’s voice on the matter by communing (quality time) with Him and keeping a journal with me at all times to write down whatever I hear. He is so faithful. He always comes through. Then based on the wisdom God reveals, I exercise my natural authority. That natural authority for me is that I set “VM Hours.” You’ve guessed it, Vision Manifestation Hours. I clock in and clock out just like I would do if I was working on a job. I use a cheap kitchen timer though. For example, if my VM Hours are from 7pm to 8 pm every Wednesday night, I set the timer to sound off in 60 minutes. During that time, I do nothing but work on the task or vision. I do not answer the phone. I do not look at TV. I do not answer the front door. I do not do anything that is not part of the vision. When I am done I throw up my hands like Rocky did when he reached the top of the steps in Rocky. Here is the Vision Manifestation formula, FAITH+FOCUS+FOLLOW-THROUGH=VM MANIFESTATION.
Scripture Meditation: Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. (Proverbs 4:25 ESV)
(Article written for Women of Standard Magazine)