Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus
Key Thought | Spiritual endurance isn’t found by fixing ourselves. It’s found by fixing our focus on Jesus.
Key Scripture | “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And 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 (NLT)
These verses in Hebrews have a way of speaking to us on multiple levels. They remind us that faith is not a sprint. It’s a race that requires endurance. And the writer of Hebrews gives us a simple but powerful instruction for how to run well: keep your eyes on Jesus.
If I’m honest, one of the things I’ve learned about myself over the years is how easily my focus can drift. I’m guessing I’m not alone. Life has a way of pulling our attention in every direction, and before we realize it, our eyes are no longer fixed on the One who gives us strength to keep going.
Hebrews tells us to strip off every weight—not just sin, but anything that slows us down. There are a few places where our focus is especially prone to wander.
We can get stuck looking at the regrets behind us. It’s impossible to look at Jesus and keep staring at the past at the same time. Many of us carry shame or disappointment over what we’ve done or who we’ve been. Without God’s perspective, all we see is failure. But when we look back through His eyes, we begin to see grace, mercy, and redemption woven through every chapter. It’s healthy to remember what God has brought us through; it’s harmful to live there.
We can become consumed by the problems around us. This doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means remembering who has the final word. King Jehoshaphat prayed honestly, “We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.” That posture changes everything. When our focus stays on Jesus instead of our own solutions, we make room for God’s faithfulness to meet us.
We can fixate on the sin within us. The more we stare at our brokenness, the more discouraged we become. But freedom doesn’t come from being sin-focused. It comes from being Jesus-focused. We don’t transform ourselves; we come boldly to Him and receive mercy and grace exactly when we need it.
The race is not run by perfect people. It’s run by people who keep looking to the One who began their faith and is faithful to complete it.
If you’ve noticed your focus drifting—to the past, to the pressure, or to your own shortcomings—Jesus gently invites you to look up again. You don’t need to fix everything today. Simply re-center your gaze. Let Him steady your steps and renew your strength as you keep running the race set before you.
Prayer | Jesus, help me keep my eyes on You. When my focus drifts to regret, fear, or my own failures, gently draw my attention back to Your presence. Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and Your faithfulness to carry me through. I trust You with this race. Amen.
Reflection
Key Scripture | “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And 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 (NLT)
These verses in Hebrews have a way of speaking to us on multiple levels. They remind us that faith is not a sprint. It’s a race that requires endurance. And the writer of Hebrews gives us a simple but powerful instruction for how to run well: keep your eyes on Jesus.
If I’m honest, one of the things I’ve learned about myself over the years is how easily my focus can drift. I’m guessing I’m not alone. Life has a way of pulling our attention in every direction, and before we realize it, our eyes are no longer fixed on the One who gives us strength to keep going.
Hebrews tells us to strip off every weight—not just sin, but anything that slows us down. There are a few places where our focus is especially prone to wander.
We can get stuck looking at the regrets behind us. It’s impossible to look at Jesus and keep staring at the past at the same time. Many of us carry shame or disappointment over what we’ve done or who we’ve been. Without God’s perspective, all we see is failure. But when we look back through His eyes, we begin to see grace, mercy, and redemption woven through every chapter. It’s healthy to remember what God has brought us through; it’s harmful to live there.
We can become consumed by the problems around us. This doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means remembering who has the final word. King Jehoshaphat prayed honestly, “We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.” That posture changes everything. When our focus stays on Jesus instead of our own solutions, we make room for God’s faithfulness to meet us.
We can fixate on the sin within us. The more we stare at our brokenness, the more discouraged we become. But freedom doesn’t come from being sin-focused. It comes from being Jesus-focused. We don’t transform ourselves; we come boldly to Him and receive mercy and grace exactly when we need it.
The race is not run by perfect people. It’s run by people who keep looking to the One who began their faith and is faithful to complete it.
If you’ve noticed your focus drifting—to the past, to the pressure, or to your own shortcomings—Jesus gently invites you to look up again. You don’t need to fix everything today. Simply re-center your gaze. Let Him steady your steps and renew your strength as you keep running the race set before you.
Prayer | Jesus, help me keep my eyes on You. When my focus drifts to regret, fear, or my own failures, gently draw my attention back to Your presence. Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and Your faithfulness to carry me through. I trust You with this race. Amen.
Reflection
- Where do you notice your focus drifting most often—toward the past, present pressures, or personal struggles?
- What might it look like today to intentionally lift your eyes back to Jesus?
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