Strong Finish

 ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith... 

Hebrews 12:2

When I watch track events, I’m often amazed at the finish line, especially in distance races. Distance runners seem to jump off the starting line with a burst of energy, but then as the run gets long, their pace seems to fall into a maintainable speed. But, at the end, when the finish comes into view, the runners are suddenly reinvigorated with strength as they speed up to a sprint and dash across the finish line. What’s their motivation? They have fixed their gaze on the end.

To fix our eyes on Jesus is to believe the reality of who He is. It is to see him in our hearts as our loving redeemer, and to communicate with Him with complete assurance based on his finished work. The apostle Paul spent his entire life encouraging the early church to see Jesus with the eyes of their hearts, I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:17-19).

Today, we can fix your eyes on Jesus to receive practical help. God has given us the Bible as an instruction book for living life. It’s not just a book, but it’s a guide with advice to get us through the trials that we are sure to face in this world.

Maybe the enemy has found his way into your mind, and he’s convinced you that things are hopeless. Fix your gaze on Jesus. Run straight ahead to the end.

Possibly, you’re life feels like it’s going nowhere. Maybe you feel like you’ve lost your identity because you’re home, raising children or your children have left home and you have an empty nest. Maybe you’re single or widowed and think that the good ‘ole days will either never come or are long gone. Fix your gaze on Jesus. Run straight ahead to the end.

Perhaps, you aren’t sure that all this ‘faith’ and ‘Jesus’ stuff is true. Maybe it just feels like a sweet story to you, but it’s reality seems questionable. Set your sights on the truth of Jesus, and He will reveal Himself to you.

Are you seeing a recurring theme here? Regardless of where you’ve found yourself. Regardless of the race your running. One thing remains the same : JESUS. He’s at the start, telling you when to go. And, He’s at the end, telling you “Good job.” And, along the way? Oh, he’s there, too, guiding you along the twists and turns of the course.

Ladies, we must set our sights on nothing but Jesus. Everything else passes away, is fleeting, is temporary. But, Jesus remains.

 Let Jesus be your vision, your passion, and your pursuit. That’s it. When our lives are submitted to Him and His purposes, He’ll work out the details. 

Jesus, help me to stay on track to the end by fixing my eyes on you. 

Lindsey Pond