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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Where is your focus?
What we focus on ultimately guides our steps. Wherever we focus our attention is generally also where we spend our time and energy. What are you focused on? Where is your hope? What are you heading towards?
Too often we focus on the things that are trying to defeat us or keep us from running well. Sin, weight of earthly cares, discouraging situations, fear of failure, our past, difficulties we face. These fight for our attention and energy. Rather than looking to Jesus as our example of hope and perseverance, we look at everything that seems to be overwhelming and drowning us. We take our eyes off of the race we are running and get sidetracked with things that pull us aside.
Jesus was our example because He endured immense hardship and did not give up. The joy that was set before Him is what He focused on rather than the pain and suffering of the cross. He chose to focus on what was to come after the suffering. He knew it was worth it to continue pressing through the pain to accomplish His goal and finish the race that was set before Him.
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to lay aside those things that hinder us from running well. He reminds us that we have a race to run. We have a course that is marked out for us. Sin and heaviness can distract us and get us off course and keep us from running effectively. He reminds us that by looking to Jesus as our example, we also can focus on the hope of what will come after we have persevered and finished the race.
Perfect peace.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus means looking to the place that’s above all the noise. Looking to our true hope, our true future, and the joy that we always have in Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
It might seem difficult to focus on something besides the glaring temptations and challenges we face, but it’s the very thing that helps us persevere when life gets hard. When we look to Jesus’ example and focus on the hope we have, we can find strength and encouragement to overcome our situations. Keep your heart fixed on Him, fully trusting in His promises.
Takeaway Action/Challenge: What is weighing you down today? What has your focus and is keeping you from moving forward? I challenge you to set whatever it is at the Lord’s feet. Take it to Him in prayer, believing He is fully able and willing to forgive and help you get back on track. Accept His grace, love and approval of you. Think about what God is calling you to move forward in. How can clinging to the past or weight of sin hinder you from running your race? What is your race?
