Focused
I have ADD sometimes, and it frustrates me when it causes me to lose my focus. The Holy Spirit is good to 'snap me back' and keep me on task and focused. The writer of Hebrews leads us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the author of our faith. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is a strong move to keep our endurance up. Why? Because Jesus is the perfecter of our faith, and we desperately need Him to live this life of faith. Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
The verses bring out some key points we need to keep focused on.
Eyes on Jesus. Jesus is our focus, and Him alone. Not me or mine, and then Jesus. It is Jesus alone where our focus should be.
Strip off the unnecessary weight. I carry a lot of things with me in my mind, in my heart (which we are warned to guard), and in my relationships. Some people are not beneficial in helping us stay focused. My wife is awesome at helping me keep focused because she also believes in where my focus should be, and that is Jesus.
We must run. Run while you can run, and ask God to give you the strength to run the race before you. Paul told Timothy the following. Timothy 2:4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. 8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
Eyes on Jesus. When we look to the hills from where our help comes from, we are seeing that help is Jesus. Look to Him and HIm alone, and you will receive the power to endure anything. Jesus is honored now in glory, and He is our light, so follow Jesus, and His light will show the way, because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
The Pilgrimage Continues,
David Warren
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