Erwin McManus reminds our group that focus comes from the Latin word for “hearth” or “fireplace” and thus means “the burning center.”

What is the burning center of my life, or the life of the community I am giving my life to? To find it I must carve away distractions, cut off the peripheral could-do for the more central must-do. But the “do” must be centered in the “be” – what I am becoming.

Sure—but there’s a challenge. I am overwhelmed by the responsibilities I have, opportunities that arise, and problems I must solve. Focus seems like a luxury only a well-subsidized artist can afford—someone who’s paid to paint one portrait, not someone who’s running around splashing his brush at every blank canvas in the room.

My group is focused—on change. Can we change? Really? Are the habits and patterns that scar our lives beyond transformation? Are we willing to make the effort? To say no to un-change; to hang onto Christ until, like Jacob, he changes us – even if we walk with a limp afterward? It means strengthening the core. At least that is what we believe will help us at this point. More thoughts on that later.