Unwavering Focus: Staying on Course with God

Nehemiah 6:3

“So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?’”

Distractions are often subtle. They can come disguised as good intentions, urgent demands, or even seemingly noble causes. But in Nehemiah 6:3, we see a man who understood the value of focus. He was doing a “great work” for God, and he knew that any detour—no matter how harmless it seemed—would draw him away from his purpose. Nehemiah didn’t simply dismiss the invitation from his enemies once; he resisted it four times. Each time, he stood firm, reminding himself that his commitment to God’s work was far more important than any outside influence.

In our walk with God, we face similar challenges. Opportunities and distractions pull at us from every direction, and not all of them are inherently bad. They can look like things we “should” do or people we “ought” to meet. But without discernment, these distractions can pull us away from what truly matters, blurring the lines between what’s important and what’s merely urgent. Nehemiah’s discernment kept him on course. He didn’t allow anything to break his focus, and he prioritized the task God had given him over temporary distractions.

Nehemiah’s example teaches us that we must know our priorities in God. Discernment allows us to recognize when we’re tempted to “major on minors,” as Nehemiah avoided. When we commit to a God-given purpose, there will be countless detours and interruptions along the way. But if we stay grounded in God’s direction, we can continue the work He has for us without losing sight of the goal. Each time Nehemiah was invited to “come down,” he was essentially given a choice: prioritise God’s calling or be swayed by temporary distractions. Nehemiah wisely chose to stay focused.

Discernment is the key to avoiding these distractions and staying on course. Not every opportunity, invitation, or need is ours to fulfill. Just like Nehemiah, we must recognize what God has called us to do and stay committed. When we live with this clarity and purpose, we’re better equipped to make an impact where God has placed us. We’ll still face distractions, but with God’s discernment, we can confidently reply, “I am doing a great work; I cannot come down.”

PRAYER