“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

In a sprint race athletes often say that they don’t look at the finish line they focus on a point beyond it so that they don’t slow down before they get the end of the race. It’s a kind of mind over matter thing that helps them make sure they don’t give up too soon. We all know that life is full of temptations and distractions. We know how easy it is to be drawn away from the things we’ve been called to and we know how easy it is to let our guard down too. We have an old enemy who is skilled at drawing us away from our walk with God.

The writer of Hebrews is very keen to remind us of those dangers so he says, “keep your eyes fixed up Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (v.2) (N.B. some translations translate that as the “author and perfecter or finisher of our faith.) The point to remember is that Jesus has already done what this passage is reminding us that we need to do. He has lived a life in faith. He managed to get all the way to the end and beyond without stopping or falling short. He held fast when temptations and distractions were placed before Him. So, if we want to know how to live a life of faith well and in the power of the Spirit who was released by Him for all of us we need only look up!

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Questions:

What are you struggling with at the moment? What distractions or temptations are you wrestling with? Or have you already given in to some things that you now need to repent of?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the example you set us. Thank you that You never gave up, never succumbed to temptations or distractions. Bless us and strengthen us to be the same, not giving in until the race is over and has been won. Amen.