Fixed Focus

Hebrews 12:² “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”

To finish strong the fifth thing is you must Keep Your Focus on Jesus and Not Your Circumstances. Hebrews 12:² “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end….” (GNT, emphasis added). Pastor, how do I survive all this? Keep your eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends, from start to finish, and everything in between. Some time ago, I had a personal trainer. After training, typically we would do balancing exercises. My balance was really bad at that time, but it is really good now thank God. It was so bad that when I stand on one leg and do the things he tells me to do, I will be wobbling and shaking. Then my trainer shared a secret with me, he said, ‘Find a fixed object and keep your eyes on it. Keeping your eyes on the fixed object will help you balance.’ Guess what? Every time I was struggling with my balance, keeping my eyes on that fixed object helped my balance.

And that is what the Bible is saying to us, keep your eyes on Jesus. The storms will come but keep your eyes on Jesus. Do not focus on your situation, focus on your Saviour. Corrie Ten Boom in her book The Hiding Place says, “If you look to the world you’ll be distressed, if you look within, you’ll be depressed, if you look to Christ you’ll be at rest.” Meanwhile, motivational speakers are telling us to look within. However, most times when we look within, we become depressed because what is within sometimes is very depressing. But when we look to Christ, we will be at rest. Jonah 2:⁷ “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord…” (LB). Do you think you are losing hope or have you lost hope? Turn your thought again to the Lord.

Hebrews 12:^3-4 “Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.” Keep your focus on Jesus. Folks have asked how I survive all the storms. It is by keeping my focus on Jesus. The real test of your faith is when life stinks. Anybody can have faith when everything is going well. But the real test of faith, family, and friends is when life stinks. How do you know your family is your family? The Bible says a brother is made for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). Family is family because when you go through problems, your family sticks with you. Guess what? There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. The true test of friendship is when your life stinks. Who are the people around you when life stinks? Those are your friends and family.

Prayer: Father, help me keep my focus on Jesus and not on the storms, in Jesus Name. Amen!