By David Shannon
Vincent Lombardi and the apostle Paul were focused leaders. One moved football players to championships while the other led people to eternal life. Where do you lead people? It is easy to get off course.  
What was the main thing in Paul’s Life? 
Can you state your main purpose in life? Paul could. He stated in Acts 20:21 the main purpose in his life: To turn others toward God to live their lives faithful in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul succeeded in focusing on the main thing. His daily schedule was set with this in mind, his itinerary of travel was directed by this, his endurance was fueled by this, his humility was an outpouring of this. Paul felt an indebtedness to fulfill the main thing in his life. As you read Acts 20:17-38, imagine the elders of Ephesus sitting in the conference with Paul. Is there any doubt that he was urging them to stay on track? Despite tribulations, finish (Acts 20:22-24). Despite false teachers, stay on track (Acts 20:29-32). Despite difficult labor, keep giving (Acts 20:33-35). These same distractions take leaders off course today. If you are going to keep the main thing the main thing, avoid these. Let’s consider the first of these in this issue and the others in the months to come.  
Tribulations 
“It hurts to hurt, but it isn’t bad to hurt” are the challenging words of Bud Lambert, a Christian counselor. Too often we react to pain as if it is horrible and must be avoided. Don’t we accept that the Biblical approach to pain describes a fertile environment for spiritual growth (James 1:2-4)? One of the first things Paul elaborated on while speaking to the elders of Ephesus was the “many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews” (Acts 20:19) and “the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me” (Acts 20:23). Paul was accustomed to deep suffering while he faithfully served the Lord. This pain could have easily become a distraction. Instead Paul said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). More of Satan’s efforts to stop Paul are listed in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33: labor, stripes, prison, near deaths, shipwrecks, robberies, perils, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, nakedness, and cares of all the churches. Can you imagine how many Christians have turned their backs on the main thing because of a sword, cross, stones, near death experiences or even much less? So, instead of running from pain, strong leaders remember that God is with them and arm themselves with the mindset that suffering righteously makes them like Christ (1Peter 4:1). If a leader isn’t ready and willing to suffer, he will find himself detoured and sadly others will follow him.  
Real Life Example 
Later in Paul’s life he was brought from confinement to stand in shackles before King Agrippa. Paul had an opportunity to plead his case for freedom; instead he remained focused on the main thing: He testified urging repentance toward God. Notice how he restates his purpose in Acts 26:19-22 as it is recorded,  
Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come. 
Paul speaks of attempted murder of his life for preaching, yet boldly says, “To this day I stand.” Paul continued to preach and lead the work of spreading the news of Jesus. It may sound simple, but Paul succeeded because he kept the main thing the main thing—no matter what.  
Application for Leaders: It is easy to allow pain, persecution, or trials to direct us, instead of God. Can we say––it doesn’t matter what pain, we will continue to lead toward God?   
Question for Leaders: Has pain or difficulty ever caused you to lose focus of the main thing?   
Losing focus during pain, grief, or struggles is the easiest path. Don’t be distracted. Lead the followers faithfully through the pain. It may hurt to hurt, but pain is never an excuse to stop leading toward God! Let’s keep the main thing the main thing no matter the cost.