Wednesday, January 16, 2008
In Focus
“And let us run with endurance. . . . keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
When I was in high school, I went out for track and field. I was a fairly decent short-distance runner, but I was horrible at long-distance runs. I hated to practice. But if I ever saw a pretty girl in the grandstands, I had new motivation for running.
As we run this race of life, we have a better motivation than I had in high school. We run for an audience of one: Jesus Christ. He is watching us. He is praying for us. In fact, the Bible tells us that He lives to intercede for us (see Hebrews 7:25).
This is what gave young Stephen courage when he stood before his accusers who were ready to put him to death. Full of the Holy Spirit, he was given a glimpse of Jesus in heaven and said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand”(Acts 7:56). Seeing Jesus gave Stephen the ability to run the race and finish it.
Seeing Jesus also gave Simon Peter the ability to walk on the water. As he kept the Lord in sight, He did the impossible.
It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus. Why? Because circumstances will disappoint and, at times, devastate us. People will let us down and fall short of our expectations. Feelings will come and go. But Jesus will always be there to cheer us on.
He has run before you. He is the ultimate winner. He will show you how to run. But you have to keep looking to Him.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.