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 sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
— Hebrews 12:2–3
So much of our reading this week has been about focus because what you set your eyes on matters. You can look at your obstacles or remember God’s faithfulness. You can look at your struggle, or you can look at what you’re working towards. You can hate where you are or remember it’s part of the process.
What you fix your eyes on will make you or break you. As believers, we choose to focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The one who endured the cross and the shame that came with it, not for his own sake, but for the joy set before him.
He endured and did not give up because of what he believed. They are beliefs we should share, such as God will get us through, that God is working for our good, that the struggle will be worth it, and that our salvation (the joy set before him) was the mission.
When we are facing difficult times, it’s easy to lose heart and get discouraged. I encourage you to fix your eyes on Jesus. He will show you what strength and endurance you need to keep going. He will teach you what it means to endure.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you for the reminder in Hebrews 12:2–3 that we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us to look to him as an example of resilience and endurance when facing difficult times. Give us the strength we need to keep going and not give up, lose heart, grow weary, or lose faith. In Jesus’s name, amen.