. . . 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
I love this scripture reference to Jesus as a pioneer and perfector of faith. According to the Dictionary, a pioneer is a “person, group, or thing that is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or development - first to enter or settle a region.”Jesus paved the way for us to know God. He is the way, the truth and the life. We cannot go to the Father except through Jesus Christ.
Why do we fix our eyes on Jesus? He is our redeemer. He loves us and equips us. But how can we focus on Him with many demands and people competing for our attention? How do we make Jesus the focus of our daily lives?
As I pondered these questions, I was reminded of my childhood ballet lessons. I adored attending classes and taking lessons twice a week through elementary school and junior high. But when I started high school, I was ready for something new and switched to modern dance. My years of ballet were an excellent foundation for moving into the contemporary dance arena. There are many dance genres, but in almost every type of dance, there comes a time when the awe-inspiring spin takes center stage, and the audience is mesmerized by the dancer’s speed and precision.
Picture a ballerina executing a complete turn, spinning on her toes. She moves incredibly fast and then abruptly stops without losing her focus or balance. How does she do that?
It’s a technique called spotting. The dancer selects an object at eye level as her focal point. As her body spins, she keeps her eyes on that spot. Then, she quickly whips her head around to maintain her focus. It’s a fast response. It’s flawless and beautiful. This move is a pirouette.
However, if the ballerina diverts her eyes from the focal point, she will lose her balance and tumble to the stage floor.
For those who follow Jesus Christ, He is our only focal point. What happens if we take our eyes off Him? Our vision blurs, and before we know it, we tumble to the ground just like the ballerina. Sometimes, when we’re off course, we are aware of the misstep immediately; other times, it takes a few days or more to accept what has happened fully. Let the visual image of the dancer be a reminder to zoom in on the Savior.
One thing is certain: when we lose our footing, the Holy Spirit will whisper, saying, “Turn your eyes toward Jesus. He will set your feet on solid ground and steady you as you walk.” Let’s lift our hands to the heavens with shouts of praise and follow Jesus, the powerful pioneer, who made it possible for us to know God.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we are thankful beyond measure for the sacrifice you endured on the cross for us. Help us to run the race with perseverance and keep our eyes fixed on You. We trust you to steady our feet and hold us upright. Keep our hearts firmly planted in the Word of God so that we may reflect your light. Thanks be to God, Amen.
Your Turn: Reflect on a time when your focus on Jesus was blurry. What distracted you? How did you get back on track and fix your eyes on Him?
Great post!
Great post! Thanks!
I had no idea about the “focus” thing as a ballerina, but it makes sense. Your transistion to encourage us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus daily to avoid falling, really makes sense in our broken world today.