Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

When I made the decision to become a Christian, I made the decision to follow Jesus. People have let me down at times, but Jesus has never let me down. He has never forsaken me. He has never disappointed me. He has never abandoned me. I am not following Jesus for the applause of people. Nor am I doing it for some earthly reward. I am following Him because He did so much for me.

In Hebrews 12 the writer says, “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (verses 1–2). Sometimes you will be discouraged in this race. Sometimes you will be overwhelmed. You have to keep your eyes on Jesus. If you do that, then you will make it.

The apostle Paul told the elders of the church at Ephesus, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Could you look back on your life and say, “Up to this point, I have finished my race with joy”? If you couldn’t say that, then make a change while you can. If today was your last day, what a tragedy it would be if you didn’t do something to make the appropriate changes.

If you are not living your Christian life as you ought to be living it, then this is the time to make a change.