The Straight and Narrow

I remember when I was first learning how to drive a rider mower, my direction seemed to always get curves instead of a straight line. I was trying to follow the tire tracks from the last pass, but that became a very unreliable way. I was instructed by someone who used to mow for a golf course that the easiest way was to look at a point on the other side of the field and just keep heading for that. Amazingly, once I got comfortable with where that target should be, my lines became straight. When I tried to make decisions based on where I was, I failed more than I succeeded. When I kept my eyes focused on where I was going, my success greatly improved. We read in Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Just as my eyes needed to focused ahead for mowing, so our eyes need to be focused on Christ. There are no shortages of things that distract us, but they don’t have to be our undoing. We have the author and perfecter of our faith who endured the cross because He knew how desperately we needed help. If we want to succeed, it requires us to be more serious about our faith. In1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Are you prepared. Have you been studying God’s word, worshiping, praying, serving? Lord, I am truly undeserving to be Your servant and yet You invite us to follow You. Put Your word in our hearts. Amen