January 1st, 2021
Staying Focused on Jesus – Pastor Mark White
Fixed On Jesus!
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith..”
I saw a team-building challenge where the team had to walk in as straight of a line as possible. The group headed toward a tree across the yard while concentrating only on their feet. The result was both entertaining and instructive. As you would guess, looking only at our feet will make us veer off course. The best way to go straight toward something is to keep looking at it as we go.
The writer of Hebrews knew that this is true also for the Christian life. We should not get tangled in the work of putting one foot in front of the other. Instead, we should focus on the destination: Jesus Christ. We must run the race marked out for us—but with our eyes fixed on the finish line.
The writer also adds more good news: we are not running on our strength; we are running in the power of Jesus Christ. Christ is the root of our faithful “run,” and he is also the one who brings it to completion. We can take comfort in knowing that he has already run the race ahead of us. And he continues to provide all the spiritual blessings we need during the ups and downs, the joys and challenges of this life.
As you run the race of faithful living, are you focusing steadily on Jesus, who already ran the course encouraging you and helping you along the way?
Pray with me:
Lord, teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Forgive us when we try to do things on our own. May we be led by your Spirit in all we do. Amen.
Fixed On Jesus!
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith..”
I saw a team-building challenge where the team had to walk in as straight of a line as possible. The group headed toward a tree across the yard while concentrating only on their feet. The result was both entertaining and instructive. As you would guess, looking only at our feet will make us veer off course. The best way to go straight toward something is to keep looking at it as we go.
The writer of Hebrews knew that this is true also for the Christian life. We should not get tangled in the work of putting one foot in front of the other. Instead, we should focus on the destination: Jesus Christ. We must run the race marked out for us—but with our eyes fixed on the finish line.
The writer also adds more good news: we are not running on our strength; we are running in the power of Jesus Christ. Christ is the root of our faithful “run,” and he is also the one who brings it to completion. We can take comfort in knowing that he has already run the race ahead of us. And he continues to provide all the spiritual blessings we need during the ups and downs, the joys and challenges of this life.
As you run the race of faithful living, are you focusing steadily on Jesus, who already ran the course encouraging you and helping you along the way?
Pray with me:
Lord, teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Forgive us when we try to do things on our own. May we be led by your Spirit in all we do. Amen.
Posted in Staying Focused on Jesus
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