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. 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. –Hebrews 12:1-3
A man took his hang glider out on a turbulent day. Wisdom should have told him not to, but his eagerness for his new hobby drew him to the air. All went well for the first part of this trip. Then it hit–a sudden change in the air began to force his small craft to fall barreling toward Earth. He began to pray, sensing that he was about to crash. At this point, he had no earthly idea of how to pull out of the downdraft. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw an eagle caught in the same draft. He watched the eagle’s responses. The eagle, with spread wings, seemed to be diving into the ground. Without a moment of hesitation he, too, aimed his glider toward the ground. In a few short flashes of time both he and the eagle had miraculously pulled out of the draft. Because the man knew he could do nothing to save himself, he simply followed the example of the one who knew more than he knew.
This illustration is not unlike what we as Christians can do when it comes to life. There are often moments in our lives when it seems like our world is crashing around us. At those moments we must fix our eyes on Jesus. He is our example, our very life and our breath. He is the reason we exist.
Those who live life to the fullest keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author of life.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What is the message of Hebrews 12:1-3?
2. Why is it so easy to remove our focus from Jesus Christ and slip through life on a lower level of faith?
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 25:1-6