Q: In regards to our focus and following…When you say something else aside from God — is it automatically against God?
A: You need to be defining terms. If by “focus and following” you exclude everything that is of God, then yes, you will find yourself fighting against God. He expects first place in your life and everything else must fall in line with that.
However, to simply say that focusing on your career, or following a dream is wrong, misses the point. Your focus will change as you live and grow. There are appropriate times in life when you will focus on your education, your work, your family. Not only are you “allowed” to do this but it is the expectation of God’s Word that we would give special attention where it is needed. It becomes a question of priorities. God is first and nothing must take his place. This is the first commandment both in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:4) and in the New Testament (Matthew 22:37).
Jesus Christ, and your relationship to him, is more important than your job, your family, fortune, or your position, flat out. Focus on him first, and all of these things will fall into place (Matthew 6:33). The writer of Hebrews warns us against drifting away (Hebrews 2:1). It is not automatically against God, but anything can become an idol