Verse: Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Thoughts
When I was in highschool I played soccer, and one of the dreaded parts of practice was the end when we would run what we called "the 120." It was a sprint where we had to touch each line, then run back to the beginning and then do the next line, and the next line, and the next line. It was exhausting. But it was also super competitive. You couldn't just give it half your effort. You had to go all out.
When I was running that final one which was all the way down the field, and then all the way back, I was always hurting. My legs were tired and my lungs were burning. So I just focused on that final line. I kept my goal directly in my focus. I knew that I would not stop sprinting till I crossed that line. The line was my goal, and also my salvation from the sprinting.
In the same way living a life of faith is like a race, the writer of Hebrews says. You've probably felt this. Sometimes it is so hard to keep going. Sometimes faith is discouraging, sometimes confusing, and sometimes we even feel like giving up. The key, according to this passage, is to fix our eyes on Jesus.
Think about what this means for you. What does it mean to fix your eyes upon Jesus? The writer of Hebrews tells us to cast aside all the distractions and all the temptations and to focus solely on Jesus. He is the one who got this started, and he is the one that will help you finish it ("pioneer and perfecter"). What do you need to cast aside that is holding back your faith and distrating you from focusing on Jesus? In what ways do you need to make Jesus your focus even in the hard times?
Today, Jesus is inviting you to lean on him. He knows your struggles and your difficulties. And he wants to help you to keep going and not give up. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is your hope and strength, and he won't let you down.
Prayer
I choose today to fix my eyes on you Lord! Keep my focus on you and not on the problems and temptations around me.