12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For the past few weeks, in our Sunday Morning Worship Service, We’ve been delving in to the thought “Running With God’s Purpose.”

Our primary text throughout the course of this sermon series has been Hebrews 12:1-2.

It’s been an interesting and encouraging journey.

This morning I found myself again meditating on a portion of this very context. I was contemplating The part where God says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”. The amplified puts it, “[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus…. “

As I thought on this portion of scripture, I realized that, in this life, there will always be challenges and difficulties of various sorts that will seem to come along in our lives that will push to distract us and throw us off the course that God has set before us.

That can pretty much be expected. Even the Lord Himself said, “In this world you ‘shall’ have tribulation (and distress), but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 Living beyond distraction, stress, and anxiety takes having a perspective that extends beyond what we can naturally see before us; and it takes faith as well.

In my morning notes I penned it like this, “When we truly look to the Lord, we embrace a level of focus that is absolutely beyond this world.”

“Looking unto Jesus”… As long as Peter had his gaze on Jesus, he was walking on the water. But as soon as he took his gaze from the One who gave him permission to step out in the midst of what was contrary to him, he began to sink.

The wind was contrary, and the storm was present, before he ever stepped out of the boat. Yet, he was able to walk on water because of the word of The Lord (come), and because of where his sight (faith) was set.

Is it hard and difficult already in this new year? Does it seem to you like this year will only be filled with a lot of the same challenges as last year? Has fear continued to rear it’s ugly head up against you?

If any of the above is the sentiment of your heart, I encourage you to simply “Look Away”.

You’ll be amazed at what good comes to the soul when we apply the exhortation to “Look” To Him….

The challenges may still yet exist, but I honestly believe that we’ll be all the more fit to walk through them when we have the perspective of the Divine working in our hearts and minds. Father, we believe that there is absolute Good and benefit in every instruction that you’ve so kindly given to us. Help us heed and apply the charge to Look To you, and away from all that will distract. We pray that not only for today, but throughout the course of this year; keep our eyes continually Looking to You.
In The Father’s Love and Care,
Pastor Lowe