Stay focused (1)

Years ago an airliner crashed into the Florida Everglades. On its approach to the Miami airport, the light indicator for proper deployment of the landing gear failed. They flew circles over the swamps of the Everglades while the cockpit crew checked to see if the gear truly had not deployed or if the bulb in the signal light was defective. When one of the crew tried to remove the signal light assembly, it wouldn’t budge, so the other crews members joined in and tried to help him. As they struggled with the light assembly, none of them noticed that the aircraft was losing altitude. As a result, the plane flew right into the swamp, killing 101 people on board. All was lost because the crew fiddled with a six-dollar light bulb and took their eyes off what mattered most. In life you’ll be tempted to choose what seems urgent over what seems important. As you try to keep your eye on the ball, this dilemma will constantly threaten your focus: “How do I choose what is best over what is merely good? Or the long-term perspective over the short-term one?” You must not lose focus; your task is too important. Solomon bottom-lines it: “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left” (Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV).