mybabyr0c: Daily Steps (Eyes on the Prize)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Daily Steps (Eyes on the Prize)

Prize: anything striven for, worth striving for, or much valued.

A couple a weeks ago I was approached by a staff member at Cypress Wesleyan Church to write a daily devotional for our "Daily Steps" series. The Daily Steps is an email devotional that is received by 700 plus emails every morning. Below is the piece that I wrote. I hope you enjoy.

Eyes on the Prize

Key Verse: 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, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Central Truth:

Whatever we focus and feed upon will either fuel our fears or fuel our faith.

In the book entitled "Eyes on the Prize" Juan Williams shares with the reader the trials and tribulations of the Civil Rights Movement. The book is a tremendous literary accomplishment that reminds us of the many struggles African-Americans endured during a sad piece of our countries history.

Eyes On The Prize... Juan Williams

The book also is a great resource of inspiration when we see what a group of people can achieve when they are focused upon the task at hand and their eyes are “fixed” upon a goal. When I reflect upon the laser like focus that the civil rights participants displayed during the 60’s I gain a stronger understanding of what Hebrews 12:2 is referring to when it pleads with the reader to engage in “fixing our eyes on Jesus”.

The Latin word for "fix" is aphorao.

Aphorao (af-o-ra'mah) literally means "to look away from all else unto a certain object."

What we fix our eyes upon is vital to the direction our lives take. As believers what we focus and feed upon fuels our faith.

And as non-believers what we focus and feed upon will fuel our fears.

The choice is ours.

Today make the choice to fix your eyes on the prize; fix your eyes on God.

He will not disappoint you.