Confidence, Discipline, Encouragement, Faith, Goals, Perseverence, Sin, Struggles, Victory

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on the Goal

My brother was on the track team in high school. He got several trophies and ribbons for the races he ran. Part of his success was that he kept his eyes on the finish line, the goal of the race. Our Bible Journaling Verse today says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV) In our Christian life, we are also running a race, and our goal is to win, keeping our eyes, hearts, and minds, fixed on Jesus Christ, and to receive a crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:4)

The cloud of witnesses the author of Hebrews is speaking about is partly the list of people mentioned in Chapter 11, known as the “Hall of Faith.” I’ve often heard that these were the ones in the grandstands watching us run our race. What I have learned through looking at different commentaries is that they are not in the grandstands just watching us, they are our cheering section. They are encouraging us to keep the faith, not to waiver, but to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (the goal line) who is also cheering us, running with us, and encouraging us through our race. We are to run our race with confidence, not being wishy-washy in how we live, but with strong Christian principles, having faith that when we run into difficulties, the Lord will be with us, helping us, cheering us on, encouraging us to remain faithful. David Guzik, from the Enduring Word website, says, “God has set before you – and each of us – a race. You must run it, and it will involve effort and commitment. Being passive never runs or wins a race. God wants us to run the race and to finish it right.”

My brother, I’m sure, would get tired in the middle of his races, but he had to endure to the very end. But, when he would train, he would wear weights around his ankles that would help him in developing his speed so that when he took the weights off for the race, he could run so that he was quick on his feet. It is the same with us as we run our race of faith. Life can be very discouraging, and we can become weary, but when we keep our eyes on Jesus, living our lives in a manner that would bring Him honor and glory, we can become encouraged, and look to His example of how to deal with difficulties. The writer of Hebrews says we are to, “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” That means that we must get rid of those things that would hinder us. (taking off the weights) Then we must be determined, set our hearts and minds resolutely on the goal when going through those times, with faith, believing that God will help get us through to the end, and we will be just where He wants us.  

The Apostle Paul knew this well and he was determined to stay the course and finish his race in a manner that would bring honor to God. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24 NIV) When we look at the life Paul lived, we see that his life was far from easy. He went through trials that I would say most of us have never had to endure…beatings, being shipwrecked (twice), being put in jails that would make your skin crawl, and threats to his life…all of these did not deter him from staying on course. He kept his faith in Jesus strong and he was committed to ending that race with the hope of hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Each one of us has a race that we are to run. By keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, we will come to the end of the race. How we run is what will make the difference in whether we win or lose. Run with faith, endurance, and patience-resolutely, and with grace. 

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Donna Knuth Rice

I am trying a blog for the first time in my life, and frankly, I feel like I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing! But, here goes. I work at a Christian Television network in the Correspondence Department, where I write letters and emails to our viewers, pray with them for their needs, and send materials they request. I am a Christian. I was saved at the age of 11 during a youth meeting at my church. My pastor led me to the Lord, and to say the least, my life has been an adventure. I am a widow. My late husband, Allen, passed away after 34 1/2 years of marriage. He had been sick the last seven years of his life, and it was a struggle, for him and for me. We met as part of a singing group that was affiliated with a Christian Radio station, and we sang together all through our lives together. We both worked in television and radio all through our married life, mostly for Christian stations. Besides singing I also play flute. I had the luxury of having parents who started out as music teachers...so music was in our house constantly. Some people describe me as being a loud-mouthed lime type...can't disagree with that. I have a tendency to put my foot in my mouth more times than I can count! I also have a tendency to say exactly what's on my mind...which is why I get myself in so much trouble! LOL! Trust me, that's something me and God have been working on for a very long time. I have no children here on earth, although I have a baby in heaven. My baby here is my dog Jack. He's a black lab/ chow mix. He's a big boy....thinks he's a lap dog! Can't think of much else to say. The reason I started this blog is because a few months ago in church, a guest pastor came and delivered a message, and when he asked for those of us who wanted prayer to come forward, I did. When he came to me he asked me if I did any journaling. I told him no 'cause I wasn't very good at it. He told me to start, and prophesied over me that my journal thoughts would impact other people. I wasn't sure just how I was to go about doing this. In fact, I was a little hesitant at first. I started journaling at home, and our assistant pastor's wife asked me to submit something for our Senior newsletter. I didn't the first edition, but something I had heard on Christian radio a long time ago and has stuck with me all these years, came to mind so I submitted an article. That article will be my first post. I don't claim to have all the answers, and my thoughts may seem a little "out there", but I feel God has been prodding me to do this, and so here I am. I hope what I post will bring encouragement, and "Something to Think About".

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