July 27

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

"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 12:2

 Jesus has already run the race. He made it through all the suffering and shame. He was victorious and sits at his Father's right hand. Only by fixing our eyes on Jesus, by looking to him as our example in all aspects of our lives, will we gain victory in the race that lies before us. He is our model; he is the first and last example of faith. He stands alone, above all others, and because he endured all that came his way, he won the prize. Too often we fix our eyes on our circumstances. We focus on the pain; the trial, or our present situation and we find ourselves immobilized. We can't move ahead. Paul urges us to fix our eyes upon Jesus. When we fix our eyes on Jesus each hour of each day, we will know how to live our lives, moment by moment. Jesus knew what it was like to be weary, overwhelmed, lonely, misunderstood, attacked, in pain, betrayed by a friend, and deserted by those he loved. There is nothing we will go through in this life that he has not experienced and if we fix our eyes on him and look to his example, we will know how to react to all that life brings us. Fix your eyes on Jesus and the victory will be yours!

Father; help us to fix our eyes on Jesus in all of life's circumstances. Help us to meditate on Jesus' life here on earth, that we might know how to live today. Keep us focused on what really counts and not on this present pain. Help us to move forward, that victory might be ours. We know we can only do this with your help and with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Amen.