Focus On The Finish

Posted by Rev. Brittany Smith
"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 NASB
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. "                   1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NASB

In our lives there are plenty of distractions that we face each and every day that try to pull us off course or merely divert our attention off of the things of God. But if we want to be successful, growing Christians, we have to make sure we have our eyes focused or as Hebrews 12:2 says "fixed" on Jesus. You will not be able to win the race if you are constantly looking around at other things because doing so will slow you down. When race horses run, they have blinders on their eyes. Why? So they cannot see or pay attention to what is going on around them while they run. The horse has to focus on the finish and run like the wind if he is going to pull ahead of the others and win the race!

In our Christian walk, we need to learn a lesson from the race horse. We must put blinders around our eyes so that we don't get distracted by the things of this world and inadvertently get off course. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." We don't want to get pulled off course by life's problems and distractions. No, we want to be like Paul and be able to say "I have finished the course!" We must keep our eyes focused on the prize, that imperishable gift of eternal life with Christ! Make up your mind today not to let the entanglements of sin and this life slow you down in this great race, but instead, focus on the finish and run in such a way that you may win!

Love,

Brittany