What A High School Student Taught Me About Focus

Earlier this week, I was journaling Scripture. I like to write the verses out exactly as they’re presented, and I always draw a little box around the reference. Nothing fancy, just my way of setting it apart.

As I focused on getting my lines straight—more intentional than usual—an old memory showed up. One of those soft, unexpected reminders from a season I hadn’t thought about in a while.

I used to teach high school math. On some days, I had to draw shapes or graphs that required decent straight lines. I had a Smart Board, so I could cheat a little—tap a button, drag my finger, and the board would clean it up for me.

But when I tried to draw lines freehand, they always came out wobbly. One day, I said it out loud in class without thinking. Just a casual comment: “I suck at drawing straight lines.” One of my students, let’s call him M, didn’t miss a beat.

He said, “Keep your eyes on where you want the line to end.”

Simple. Quick. Confident.

And you know what? It worked. I tried it right there in front of them—and for the first time, the line was surprisingly straight. I’ve used that nugget ever since. That was over ten years ago.

As the memory settled this week, I realized how easily that advice applies to life—especially when things get blurry or hard.

How many times have we set out to follow a path—spiritually, emotionally, professionally—with a clear destination in mind… only to get distracted?

We start strong, eyes forward, heart focused. But then life stats life-ing.

Responsibilities, detours, questions, fears, voices around us and inside us.

Instead of keeping our eyes on where we want to go, we start watching our own hands. We obsess over every move, micromanage every step, and try to force the outcome. And just like on that whiteboard, the line gets wobbly.

That one-liner from my student—“keep your eyes on where you want the line to end”—reminds me of Paul’s words:

That’s direction.
That’s endurance.
That’s fortitude.

It takes strength to press forward. But it also takes focus. And focus doesn’t mean everything’s clear—it means we choose where we’re looking. We choose to lock eyes with the end goal, even when the steps in front of us don’t feel steady.

Years ago, when I first started working from home, I found myself scattered. Tasks were open but never completed. I’d start something, then jump to the next thing before finishing the first.

In that season, I came across an acronym that helped me reset my rhythm:

F.O.C.U.S. — Follow One Course Until Successful.

It’s widely attributed to Robert T. Kiyosaki, and it helped me learn to slow down, prioritize, and stay on track—one thing at a time.

That same principle is still true now. Whether I’m managing responsibilities, grief, or growth, the reminder is the same: steady eyes, one course, finish strong.

But here’s the thing—real life isn’t always like drawing on a whiteboard.

Back then, when I was drawing those straight lines, I knew exactly where I wanted the line to end. I had a clear point to focus on. And because I could see the destination, the line came out straighter. But in life, we don’t always get to see that.
And that’s where fortitude comes in.

Fortitude is that quiet strength to keep going even when the destination isn’t clear. It’s choosing to stay the course when nothing feels certain, trusting that the hand guiding you sees farther than you can.

Focus isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about showing up with grit and grace anyway.
It’s about trusting God with the direction and being faithful with the next step.

If you’ve been feeling distracted, discouraged, or pulled in every direction—this is your gentle reminder:

Lift your eyes.
Remember who’s leading.
And let your next step be an act of faith, not control.

You don’t have to see the full picture to keep moving forward. You just have to trust the One who does.

Is there a journey you’ve been trying to control instead of trusting? Ask God to help you fix your focus today—and just take the next faithful step.