Philosopher William James (1842-1910) said, “At the end of your days, your life will largely be what you paid attention to.” There is fierce competition out there for your attention. Companies dedicate massive amounts of resources to keep your attention. Marketers know that by doing so they have a good chance of making a sale.

Each of us has the ability to decide for ourselves what we will pay attention to. As a Christian, you know that God requires you to be a good steward of your resources, including your attention. So think hard about what you are setting your mind and heart on. What God wants us to give our attention to is made clear throughout Scripture: caring for widows, orphans, and downtrodden; pursuing justice and kindness; setting our minds on things above; and, most of all, loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.

Don’t let your thoughts be taken captive by the world’s allure and by marketers’ schemes. Give your attention to the One who has lived, died, and risen again for you.