Experiencing God's Presence #178

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2

If a marathoner focused on each painful, jarring step—and the burning thirst and mounting fatigue—the race would be lost long before it was ever finished. Some racers focus on the glory of the prize, others on some pleasant memory or future hope, and some simply on the finish line. But on the needs of each moment and the pain of getting there? That would quench the motivation to continue. It would intimidate any expectation of going all the way. Marathons can only be accomplished when the mind of the runner sees the big picture. The details kill faith.

That’s certainly true of the spiritual marathon we run. When we focus on the details—the overwhelming needs of this day or the what-ifs of how certain situations might turn out—faith drains out of us, motivation disappears, and discouragement sets in. Our obsession with details takes our minds off the big picture, and we lose hope. Our perspective becomes skewed. The race then becomes a painful chore that we may or may not even finish.

In order to run well—and specifically to run with endurance this day—we have to gaze at someone who has finished the race successfully. We have to look at Jesus, who not only finished well but makes Himself available to fill us with His strength and endurance. He endured every temptation, overcame every obstacle, and won every victory. Now He lives in us. If we gaze at ourselves, our pain and needs and our moment-by-moment details, we lose heart. If we gaze at Him, we overcome. It’s as simple as that. The only way to finish the race is to keep our eyes on the One who won it.

Jesus, I turn my eyes toward You. In every step of this day, I run with my focus on You. Fill me with Your strength, Your faith, Your victory.

From the book