Run in Such a WaySample

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Distraction is a huge element for a marathon runner to be able to finish a race well. It is considered to be anything that prevents someone from giving their full attention to something. As a runner begins to feel the pain of muscle cramping or exhaustion, they must focus on the task at hand. Anything else will serve as a distraction in finishing strong.

But it is not simply avoiding distractions that helps finish well. It is also what we focus on. The natural inclination is to focus on self. We can be tempted to focus on our own abilities, our own knowledge and even our own training/conditioning. This is dangerous because we are finite beings with a sinful nature.

The writer of Hebrews is intentional about showing us how to run this race with perseverance. He says in chapter 12, verse 2 to "fix our eyes on Jesus." He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. There are other versions that use the contrasting terms, "Alpha and Omega" to describe the Lord's ability to be all-sufficient. He is incapable of failing and is eternal in nature.

When someone is deemed clinically brain dead, there are several exams required in order to diagnose such a tragic state. Our brain has brainstem reflexes that cause us to do important yet basic things, even while we are sleeping. One of those things is the ability to breath on our own. There are several more but one of them that is examined is the pupillary response. When this reflex is not present, the clinical term used to state so is that the pupils are 'fixed.' This is a sign of absence of reflex and/or death.

When I think of what the writer of Hebrews is suggesting here, I am reminded of this clinical process. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, it is a sign of death to self, and no distractions. We are focused on who He is and not easily swayed by the things of this world. Our eyes are FIXED on Him!

Challenge: What are some distractions that are not letting you run the race well? How can you fix your eyes on Jesus and not on other things?