A Russian proverb says, “If you chase two rabbits you will not catch either one.” There has been a growing business trend moving away from multitasking and toward becoming singularly focused. Many say that multitasking keeps one so distracted that it takes up to 100% longer to finish tasks, and it prevents you from becoming really good at anything. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are used as examples of success because they developed a laser-type focus on one thing: Gates on software, and Jobs on design. They chose to become like a dog chasing only one rabbit. Consequently they achieved great success.

In the realm of spiritual things, it is likewise essential to be singularly focused. This was true of one of the most successful soldiers for Christ, the Apostle Paul. He was able to present the gospel to multitudes, to see perhaps thousands trust in Christ, to plant many churches around the Mediterranean, to write thirteen books of the Bible, to mentor a band of men to carry on in ministry, and to remain both faithful and productive until death. His testimony was “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Notice, after Paul trusted in Christ, he did not languish over the loss of friends and family, his promising future among the Pharisees, nor financial security and safety. He was able to say, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ…and I count all things loss…for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ…and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (3:7-8). Instead of focusing on these things that could have dragged him into self-pity and depression, he chose to concentrate on something different. He kept his eye on “the mark” (which describes a focal point on a target) “for the prize” (referring to a reward), “of the high calling of God” (vs. 14). Paul’s laser-type focus was on living so faithfully for Christ that he was confident that meaningful eternal reward awaited him (I Thessalonians 2:19 and II Timothy 4:7-8).

What are your goals in life? The most important goal every Christian must choose is the singular focus of living so faithfully for the Lord that eternal rewards await. Nothing else really matters. Choose wisely.