The Power of Focusing on Jesus
“Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 WEB)
Nowadays in the mornings, I set a 5-minute countdown timer on my phone and place it in front of my daughter Mae while she is drinking her milk.
It helps her to focus on the task at hand, challenging herself to drink her milk consistently and finish at within a reasonable timing.
Before doing this, Mae was distracted by her own wandering thoughts, playing with all the items around her, instead of drinking the milk.
Even adults like us can benefit from having an object of focus. Without focus, we are more likely to be driven around by the whims and fancies of our sinful flesh, doing what is unprofitable and death-inducing.
When we lack focus, we fall for the illusion that there is still a lot of time to waste. We end up doing things to ‘kill time’, using this purest currency unprofitably or even self-destructively.
On the other hand, when we look to Jesus, we will be able to focus on being led by His Spirit; receiving the supply of grace needful for everything in life.
The author of the epistle to the Hebrews likened our mortal lifetime to a “race”. In a race, every second counts—time is precious. There are winners and losers, and prizes to be won.
This prize is not talking about earning our salvation, but rather winning eternal rewards. We are already saved, but not everyone will receive the same measure of rewards. Rewards like special positions of honor will be given to us based on the good works that we have done in service to the Lord Jesus, using the grace that He first gave to us.
Jesus set His eyes on the prize (our redemption), ran His race, enduring the pain, and finally sat down at the right hand of God as the winner.
There is an eternity for you to sit down, after you have completed the race that is set before you.
If you get distracted by every rabbit or fallen leaf along the race course, you will never be a winner. The enemy throws many distractions in our path, hoping that we will forfeit the race. He will do anything to make us turn away from Jesus.
If you have been distracted by the enemy, this is a loving reminder for you to keep your eyes on Jesus again.
Something happens when you look at Him—faith rises up in you, enabling you to receive God’s power to continue running, and to overcome every obstacle.
“Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”” (Matthew 14:28-30 WEB)
The incident of Peter walking on water perfectly demonstrates the power of keeping our eyes on Jesus.
When Peter’s focus was on going over to Jesus, he walked on water just like Jesus. By beholding the Lord, Peter was transformed into the same image, doing the supernatural works of God.
However, when Peter was distracted by the strong wind, his focus shifted and he lost the ability to walk on water. His mind raced with thoughts, probably reasoning how it is impossible to walk on water and how dangerous his current situation was. He became natural again, just like what he newly focused on.
If you want supernatural results, look to Jesus. As long as your eyes are steadfastly fixed on Him, your faith will be active and effective. What is naturally impossible will become possible to you!
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