Can you imagine what a difference there would be if every leader focused on his work totally? Concentration is the key to accomplishing great things as a leader. Many people do not know that great achievers are people who have focused and concentrated on one thing for a long time. Concentration is the key to great achievement. Do you consider yourself a leader? You must learn the art of concentration.

'I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in

Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:14) Concentrate on Your Vision! Concentrate on your work and you will have great results. Often when I begin to pray, I switch off all phones. This helps me to concentrate on the Lord. When I was in the university, I had the opportunity to join several Christian groups. I decided to flow with a particular ministry. I realised that I could not divide my time amongst the many Christian ministries on campus. By the time I left the university, a new group had been formed which exists up until today.

When you focus on one thing, people will accuse you of being proud or unfriendly. They will say that you are inward-looking or even unpatriotic. They will say that you are anti-social. Take no notice of them. Concentrate on what you are doing. Wisdom is justified of her children. Never forget that concentration brings growth and keeps you from strife.

When Jesus went away He left clear instructions about what the Church was supposed to do.

' Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his

household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his

lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall

make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his

heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants,

and to eat and drink with the drunken, the lord of that servant shall come in a

day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and

shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there

shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (Matthew 24:45-51)

Not long after His departure, the Church had deviated into all sorts of things that were not instructed by Christ. In the name of good works and being socially acceptable, the Church has divided its attention into four main areas: health, education, relief services and Christian teaching. If the Church were to concentrate on their God-given goal, they would be called all sorts of names.

Some of my pastors and churches have come under criticism because we tend to

concentrate on what we are doing. Statistics have proved, to the surprise of many, that excessive cooperation between churches does not lead to growth in the Body of Christ. This comes as a surprise to the proponents of unity in the Body. Remember that unity is different from union . What people often call unity is actually the physical union of congregations.

A leader understands the essence of focusing on one thing until he has achieved it. A leader can distinguish between relevant and irrelevant issues. I have realised that the faster I work, the more energy I have. Slow work makes you tired. I apply the principle of urgency and concentration to everything I do. I bring all my forces to bear until I conquer it. The more you suspend your projects for other things, the more depressed and unhappy and discouraged you will be.

Are you a leader? Decide to focus on one thing at a time. Put away useless socialising, empty chatting and excessive television watching. Concentration will bring you great success. Paul did it and so can you.

'…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching

forth unto those things which are before…' (Philippians 3:13)

theaol@ymail.com By Dag Heward-Mills