What’s really supposed to be the focus of my life? If you’ve wondered the same thing, you’re in good company.
The Subtle Pressure to Perform
There’s this quiet, relentless pressure for men to be defined by what we accomplish. Promotions, skills, side hustles—these things become the yardstick. I’ve felt it. Maybe you have too.
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Work: The never-ending to-do list. The emails that never sleep.
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Hobbies: That next big project. The latest gear. The personal best we’re chasing.
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Family: Even here, we can get lost in the logistics—schedules, carpools, bills.
But somewhere along the way, the deeper stuff—the things that actually matter—get crowded out.
Why Recreation Feels Good (But Isn’t Enough)
I love a good game of baseball. Or a weekend fishing trip. For a while, those things fill me up. They’re fun, they’re meaningful in their own way. But after the adrenaline fades, there’s this odd emptiness. Like I’m chasing shadows, not substance.
Recreation is good, don’t get me wrong. We need rest. We need play. But if I’m honest, it never quite fills the void. There’s always this itch for something more—something deeper.
The Cost of Chasing Productivity
Everywhere I look, hustle culture is celebrated. Podcasts, books, social feeds—they all shout the same message: “Do more. Be more. Never stop.”
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We sacrifice sleep for another hour of work.
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We skip family dinners for meetings that could’ve been emails.
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We fill every spare moment with “productive” activity.
But at what cost? Relationships fray. Our sense of purpose blurs. Sometimes, even our faith takes a backseat to the grind.
‘We are perpetually busy, but it’s easy to be busy with the wrong things.’ – John Ortberg
Are We Missing the Point?
I keep circling back to this: What is the real focus of my life? Hebrews 12:1-2 says we’re meant to fix our eyes on Jesus—the “author and perfecter of faith.” Not on the next promotion. Not on the next adventure. Not even on being the perfect dad or husband.
It’s hard, though. The world tells us to run faster, climb higher, do more. But maybe, just maybe, we’re called to something different. Something that echoes in eternity.
The Juggle: More Than Just a Calendar Problem
Ever feel like you’re being stretched in three directions at once? I know I do. There’s the pull of wanting to grow spiritually, the warmth of family dinners, and—let’s be honest—the never-ending list of weekend chores. Sometimes I wonder: is it just me, or do all men feel this low-level guilt simmering in the background?
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Spiritual growth — I want to spend time in prayer, read my Bible, maybe even journal a bit. But then the next email chimes in, the grass is knee-high, and suddenly, it’s Sunday night again.
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Family dinners — I love those moments around the table. But I also catch myself checking the clock, thinking about what I’m not getting done elsewhere.
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Yard work — It sounds simple, but it eats up hours. And honestly, sometimes it feels more urgent than my soul.
FOMO: The Silent Schedule Shaper
Here’s the thing nobody really says out loud: FOMO—the fear of missing out—doesn’t just hit us on social media. It creeps into our weekends, our family time, even our faith. I catch myself saying yes to things because I don’t want to miss out. But what am I really missing?
I’ve noticed how easy it is to let faith slide to the back burner. Not because I don’t care, but because everything else feels so immediate. The urgent drowns out the important. It’s like my soul is getting shortchanged, and I barely notice until I’m running on empty.
We don’t talk about it much, but there’s a cost to always chasing what’s next. Sometimes, it’s our spiritual life that pays the price. I’ve caught myself thinking, “I’ll get back to it next week.” But weeks turn into months. The guilt grows, but so does the numbness.
I’m reminded of something from Hebrews:
‘Casting aside every weight – Hebrews 12:1
That line sticks with me. It’s a gut check. Am I living for what matters most, or just running from one thing to the next? The questions keep popping up in my mind.
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Are we centering our lives on Christ, or just chasing shadows?
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Is FOMO shaping our schedules more than faith?
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What echoes will our choices leave?
I don’t have all the answers. But I know I’m not alone in this tension.
‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’ – Hebrews 12:2
Author and perfecter. Not just a helper or a coach. The origin and the finisher. In 2025, with distractions everywhere, what does it really look like to let Christ write the story of my faith—and finish it, too?
TL;DR: It’s easy to let work and recreation sideline what matters most. Hebrews 12 calls men to zero in on Jesus—the true Author of our faith—knowing our choices echo into eternity.
Do you enjoy my weekly blogs? Help me reach more people, and please share this with your friends.
Thank you!
Jeff Hagen
President & Founder
Hill Cities, Inc.
Good reminder! Thanks!