He kept His eyes on the goal!

(Now this is not an article about doctrine. Here I am simply taking the example of how One Man was able to endure such extraordinary circumstances in order to reach His final goal).

What was His goal? The joy set before Him (the resurrection).

The point is that He was able to continue His course without being tripped up by the obstacle of the cross BECAUSE His eyes were firmly fixed on the finish line.

So how does this help you and me? After all we were talking about the Son of God right? Yes we were, BUT remember that although He was God, He had subjected Himself to the weakness of the human body which left Him with the same advantages and disadvantages as you and me. (You can find that in Philippians 2:8).

So here are three mindsets that the man Jesus had which kept Him from being tripped up by a very BIG obstacle. If you and I learn to develop these same mindsets, we also can run our race without being tripped up by any obstacles that may cross our path.

1. His focus was on the finish line which was the joy set before Him.
Do you have a goal in life? I am sure you have many of them. Hopefully all of these goals will lead towards one big purpose. Your main purpose in life could be something like:

• I plan on leaving a great heritage for my family.
• I plan on leaving a mark on this world in the area of family relationships (or whatever area your focus or expertise may be).
• I plan on helping to advance local foundations dedicated to the education of our children.
• I plan on ….. (you fill in the gaps).

All of your short term goals will lead towards your main life’s purpose or passion. Of course some of your short term goals may be hobby related or may seem not to have anything to do with your main purpose.

However every goal you achieve will make you a better person and so will positively affect your main purpose in life.

Every achievement brings the taste of success, and this brings confidence, enthusiasm and the knowledge that you CAN do it!

Now you have your finish line fully in your focus, no matter what obstacle may cross your path it will not trip you up. Why? Because your focus is on your goal. This object of your focus is bigger than any obstacle.

The size of any problem in life is affected by how you perceive it. This is directly related to your focus.

2. He did not allow distractions.
If you did check out Hebrews 12:2, you will find that Jesus literally despised the shame of the cross. He was not going to be distracted from His final goal by focusing on any difficulty or even humiliation on the way.

When I read these verses, I visualize the following scene. An athlete is running a race with his eye on the finish line. A wasp suddenly comes swooping down to distract him. (Who likes to be stung by a wasp).

He brushes it off as if it were just a fly. It is a simple distraction not worth taking note of because his eye is fixed on the finish line.

How big are your obstacles?
Is your focus on the problem at hand or is it fixed on your goal?

Your success in overcoming will depend on your focus.

3. His focus was fixed on reaching the finish line and receiving the prize.
Do you want to reach your prize? I am sure you do.

How can you be sure you will reach your finish line?
Keep all hindrances that may cross your path in the right perspective.

How? By making sure you have your focus fixed on your goals.

If you do this, you have a great chance of reaching your finish line and receiving your prize.