Fix Our Eyes on Jesus to Win -

Did you watch the Olympics? I am in awe of the perseverance of the Olympic athletes. They dedicate their lives to their sport and focus on the goal of winning a medal. However, I wondered how the absence of spectators at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics affected them. Perhaps they visualized fans, friends, and family members cheering them on.

While watching the competitions, I thought about how the writer of Hebrews compares the Christian life to a race. As scripture says, “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, 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” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).

Consider the similarities of the Christian life to the journey to wellness. It is a lifelong journey requiring endurance, sacrifice, perseverance, and focus. But often we want to quit when it gets too tough. We give into temptation, feel like a failure, and wonder if it’s all worth it. I know, I’ve been there many times.

So how do we stay focused on the race, our journey to wellness, when discouraged? Fix our eyes on Jesus to win the race.

The Daniel Plan

The Daniel Plan, a healthy lifestyle program founded on biblical principles, comprises five essentials—faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends. Let’s consider three of them and how they relate to running the race and fixing our eyes on Jesus—faith, focus, and friends.

Faith

The Daniel Plan’s first essential is faith. The entire plan is meaningless without it. We must start by running “the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).

Like the Olympic athletes, we need training and endurance to attain our ultimate victory, eternal life with Jesus at the right hand of God. Because Jesus endured the cross, the only way we can endure is to fix our eyes on Jesus.

Train for the race by studying the Bible, memorizing scripture, and praying for the Holy Spirit to give us strength to endure and finish well.

Focus

Olympians focus on the goal of winning a gold medal. On the journey to wellness, we also focus on our goals to live a healthy lifestyle. Visualize what you want now, a healthier you.

The Greek word in our key verse translated “fixing” is aphorao, and means to turn your eyes away from other things and fix them on something.

What are your distractions? Maybe temptations, guilt, shame about the past, or negative thoughts, such as “I cannot do this, it’s too hard.” Turn your eyes away from distractions and fix your eyes on Jesus.

Friends

The chapter in the Bible right before our key verse, Hebrews 11, is called the Hall of Faith. The writer of Hebrews mentions many of the martyrs of our faith who already finished the race of faith. We cannot see the “cloud of witnesses” as the Olympic athletes in Tokyo could not see the crowd of spectators cheering for them. But in both cases, friends, supporters, and partners on the journey are cheering us on.

In fact, the “secret sauce” of the Daniel Plan is community. Encouragement and support from friends on the same journey are essential for the journey to wellness.

Nothing worthwhile is easy

Friend, I know for sure neither the Christian life nor the journey to wellness are easy, but both are definitely worthwhile. Pastor Rick Warren wrote, “If you’re discouraged, don’t give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.” ¹

Like the Olympic athletes who train for years to succeed, don’t give up! Fix your eyes on Jesus during the journey to wellness. Achieve a healthier you, with strength and stamina to fulfill God’s plans for you.