There are many things that need our attention today. And wisdom also calls us to look ahead and plan for tomorrow. We need a bifocal approach to life – the ability to address short-term demands without losing focus of our long-term goals.
Photo by Ran Berkovich on Unsplash
To navigate life well we must engage in multiple depths of perception.
It’s hard to plan and move toward our purpose in life if we can only see what is right in front of us. Likewise, we would stumble around in our daily lives if all we saw were our wishful plans for the future.
We need both a nearsighted and farsighted approach to life.
Nearsighted Focus
A nearsighted focus helps us to deal with the demands of everyday life – going to work, paying the bills, completing the household tasks, and tackling all the daily logistics and conversations needed.
There is great value in not worrying about tomorrow when there is so much that needs our attention today. Living one day at a time is certainly wise.
Farsighted Focus
At the same time, we must also develop a farsighted focus. When we can look ahead, we can plan and ensure we are moving toward our highest good.
If we ever drift off course, having a farsighted vision allows us to adjust and get back on track – keeping us from getting stuck in the weeds of the everydayness.
When we see the big picture, we don’t have to sweat the small stuff. Our daily grind is set in the context of the larger story God is telling through us.
Bifocal
A bifocal approach regularly adjusts to the daily realities of life without losing sight of the long-term vision.
It is intentionally seeing both near and far.
Don’t limit your focus.
Develop a bifocal approach to life – learning to care for each day while still keeping an eye on all the goodness God is leading us into.
