Focus on the Prize

If you were ever to invite me to lunch, I would choose Mexican food. I’m flexible, but if you are asking, I lean toward chips and salsa every time.  

Mexican food is not the only thing I’m prone to steer toward. Often before my feet hit the floor, I navigate to my familiar stomping grounds of discouragement. I own a good deal of mental real estate in this department, neighbored by disappointment and loss. If what I’m describing sounds familiar, you know these mental locales can easily move into the physical realm, causing your hands to droop and your knees to weaken. This venue is unwelcoming and one I know well.

The tendency in these situations and whereabouts is to question God’s faithfulness. Will he really come through for you? Or for me? What if “whatever it is,” does or doesn’t happen? In all this mental agony, the questioning person tends to shrink back. Our hands stop working. And our prayers suffer. I mean, if we’re not positive God will come through, then what’s the point, right? 

Other times we offer irresolute prayers, sort of like we don’t want to bother the rich, nasty uncle (because he’s going to say “no” anyway). This approach zaps all our vigor. 

Both strategies leave us weak and weary. Hebrews points us to something greater. The key to developing a stronger you is to lift your eyes to Jesus, as “the author and perfecter of your faith,” (Hebrews 12:2). When you feel discouraged, a little lost, or melancholic on the inside, keep your eyes focused on Him. 

You might have shown up today in your puniest state, thinking you can’t step it up in your prayer life. There is nothing more you can do in the name of discipline or intensity to move toward a stronger you. 

Then take all that is wrong and the voices that you hear telling you it will never be okay, and that you are not enough, to Jesus. You are right. There is nothing more you can do to gather your own strength to get stronger. Focus your eyes on the Prize of your life, and trust Him for strengthening you for your next step.