February 13, 2024

Staying on Course

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

The Christian life can be likened to a race with a finish line in eternity. Our goal is to stay on track and run with endurance, but we won’t know the way forward unless we focus on Jesus. Because He ran the race perfectly, He can show us the way.

As with any long-term race, the course is full of obstacles that threaten to trip or sidetrack us. Temptations lure us to what we imagine are lush green pastures, while busyness can lead us down rabbit trails that end in exhaustion. Worry and fear grab hold of our mind, and emotions take us places the Lord never intended for us to go.

Although sins are the most obvious threat, anything that takes precedence over our relationship with the Lord can send us down the wrong path. It’s easy to let our families, jobs, and pleasures distract us from a wholehearted pursuit of Christ. Surprisingly, even God’s blessings can hinder us if we start to prioritize them over the Lord.

For us as believers, the goal isn’t to focus on the path or find our own way. We’re to fix our eyes on Jesus—He’s our guide and destination, and He will welcome us home when we cross the finish line into eternity.

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