“Faith Matters” is a column that features pieces written by local religious figures.
In today’s fast-paced society in which so many are inundated with the hustle and bustle of meetings, engagements and various obligations, it is easy to conclude that one must be able to do multiple things at once in order to be truly effective. However, the reality is, God did not create us to function that way. He created our brains to focus.
Research has proven that although we believe we’re effective at multitasking, in reality, we are good at what researchers call “task-switching.” Earl Miller, a professor of neuroscience at MIT, says, “We simply can’t focus on more than one thing at a time… Period. But what we can do is shift our focus from one thing to the next with astonishing speed. The catch here is that this task-switching, despite how fast it occurs, is incredibly unproductive in reality.” In fact, research indicates up to 40 percent of productivity could be lost due to task-switching. In short, multitasking as an effective method of increased productivity is a myth.
It is imperative that we realize how God modeled the importance of focus and attentiveness in the creation scriptures of Genesis chapter 1. We must understand that God could have called everything into being all at once with one word. After all, our God is supreme in authority and limitless power. Instead, with a vision of what He wanted creation to be, God took one day at a time to focus on one aspect of creation at a time. He didn’t multitask a single portion of His creation in order to model focus.
When it comes to you and I and the peace we desire that seems so elusive in stressful times, the scriptures provide us with a powerful moment that highlights the dangers of losing focus. In Matthew 14:25 – 33, Jesus is miraculously walking on water towards the disciples. After seeing him afar off, Peter asks Jesus to enable him to walk on water towards him. For a few steps, due to the miraculous power of God, Peter was walking on the water! However, verse 30 says, “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” Peter was doing the impossible when he focused on Jesus. However, the moment he began to focus on the boisterous winds, he began to sink. The challenge many of us have today is trying to multitask God by walking in faith while simultaneously giving our focus and attention to stress and worry. If we fix our focus solely on Jesus and his faithfulness, we’ll find that he’ll never let us be in over our head.
God wants us to focus on His word, His will and His promise concerning every aspect of our lives. He wants us to avoid the pitfalls that come with lacking focus in this life. There are many things that will arise in the weeks to come that will make a demand on your time and attention, but not all of them are important or urgent. Today, Jesus wants you to focus on him despite the waves and the wind so that you’ll never be overwhelmed. He knows you’re tempted to multitask your way through life, but starting today, make a decision to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and focus on God. Everything else will fall into place.
Jason Goubourn is the lead pastor of Church on the Rock New Haven and president of Church on the Rock Global.
Previous“Faith Matters” columns:
• Faith Matters: Faith Over Fear
• Faith Matters: Scar Glory
• Faith (Still) Matters
• Faith Matters: Gaza & Ramadan
• Faith Matters: On Passover & Redemption
• Faith Matters: Freedom Struggles & Holy Week
• Faith Matters: Welcome The Stranger
• Faith Matters: Beyond Neutrality
• Faith Matters: The Lightened Yoke Is Love
• Faith Matters: Combat Negativity With Compassion