LOOKING UNTO JESUS

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

As we continue our walk in Christ, let us consider who we should be looking towards and what our goal is. That goal is Jesus. Within our society today there are many   distractions that prevent us from looking towards our goal. However, we are still called to walk the narrow path and take as many with us as we can.

The book of Hebrews explains this well in chapter 12: “Therefore we also, 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 set   before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2) When I was learning how to ski, I was taught to not look at the trees but the path that I’d want to take.         Otherwise, I would end up hitting a tree. This same principle applies to how we should follow Jesus. We should pursue righteousness, love, holiness, faith, and those that follow the Lord (2 Timothy 2:22) in doing so, it will become much harder to fall into temptation or worldly desires and veer off the narrow path.

Peter demonstrates the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus extremely well when he is walking on water: “When Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately     Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.” (Matthew 14:29-31) Obviously, it is important to not get distracted by the temptations and stressors of this world, but how do we do that and keep looking to Jesus?

Be an active member in the relationship between you and God. That means studying His Word and praying to Him frequently. Reading the Bible will provide instruction and guidance on how to live a Christian life: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for   every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). His Word will help us to not worry about our  distractions in life. Paul expands on this point further adding that we should “be  anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with          thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). This   further emphasizes that whenever we are dealing with something, instead of being anxious, we should pray to God and keep our eyes and goals set on Him.

Therefore, as we go throughout this week, let us focus on our communication with God, either in prayer or by reading His Word.

~Cole LeBlanc