To Persevere While Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus

Our ancestors before us (the cloud of witnesses), the people of faith who have

run before us, have passed on the baton to us and watch us faithfully carry on. As we

run we, we can look back and see how Jesus ran His race. When we look ahead, we

can see His exaltation. He is our example as a starter and finisher. Seeing so much of

what He endured, can we realize that suffering and hardship are not an excuse for

giving up on this journey of life?

That is not to say, we are without our own perils, particularly as a caretaker. With

the Lord encouraging us, we need not be discouraged and give up. In all honesty,

though, who of us has never contemplated this and possibly followed through. I am

quite sensitive to the words ‘I give up.’ During my mother’s illnesses, she would utter

them frequently. While I knew she was in pain and had every right to complain, I tried to

be compassionate and held fast to hope and courage. While I might flinch at those

words, I believed God’s love was holding me and blessed with the gift of perseverance,

I was usually able to keep on keeping on.

I have quoted v 2, “For the sake of the joy that lay before Him…Faith enabled

Jesus to know that temporary suffering would carry Him. Though obedience was

difficult, on the other side of the cross, there would be joy. He kept going and we will

too! To win the race, the runner must be unencumbered and finish. Perseverance is

required. Even with our distractions, as we keep our eyes on Jesus, not our problems,

we will know that the perfecter of our faith is with us every step of the way.

It is best not to become caught up in the things of this world that we miss out on

our relationship with the very One who created us. So, to fix our eyes on the Lord, we

must also turn our eyes away from the things of the world. As we focus, we are amazed

how often God gives us small signs on our journey, clues along the way – a timely

Scripture, a nudge of the Spirit or encouragement from a friend that can point us to the

next step. It might not be enough revealed, but it will be enough to keep us walking with

Him.

God’s Spirit is always calling us toward deeper trust and stronger love. May the

blessings of faithfulness and perseverance be yours, as you live in fidelity to His loving

ways and focus your eyes on Jesus.