“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A few weeks ago while returning to my friend’s house after an evening walk, we happened upon the insect in the picture. I am not an entomologist so I am not sure of the correct name for this insect. In my opinion it’s a huge grasshopper and I usually try to avoid them. However, I was stopped in my tracks at the sight and had to snap this picture. As I look closely at the image, I am intrigued by the details God has given to such a creature. Isn’t God amazing?

Often in life, we rush from one task to another and we lose our focus on God. When we lose our focus we also lose our perspective. Today’s verses reminds us to stay focused. Now read The Message version of the same verses.

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23-27‬ ‭MSG‬‬

On this Focus Friday morning, let’s slow down and check our gaze. Are we looking straight ahead? Are we looking for God’s guidance and blessings as we travel throughout our day or are we focused on “sideshow distractions?” Today let’s keep our eyes straight ahead and when we do find ourselves distracted, may each of us look for signs of God. After all, God made grasshoppers and painted them with beautiful hues. Think of how much more careful attention to detail God had when he created you and I!