What’s your goal in life? How would you describe the goal in life you’re aiming for?

Hebrews 12:1-3 and 14-17

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 perfector 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart…

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

The story of Apollo 13 is the true story of the third launch of astronauts to the moon, but the mission fails as a tank in the side of the ship explodes. The astronauts struggle to bring their crippled ship home. As they round the moon, they have to line it up manually and fire the moon lander’s rocket to propel them home. At first, they’re uncertain how to line it up. Then they look out the window and it’s obvious. Put their aim squarely on the earth, and keep their aim fixed there as they fire their rockets toward home. The answer was both obvious and life-changing! And it got them home!

Likewise, the writer to the Hebrews says the answer for our lives is both obvious and life-changing! Fix your eyes on Jesus! “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

How did Jesus run the race? We saw it in yesterday’s Grow Daily. Matthew tells us in chapter 4 of his Gospel how Jesus began the race. Like Israel, he is tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, but unlike Israel, he does not act in unbelief. He trusts the plans of his Father in heaven. He looks forward to the new creation. He runs the race that way, all the way to the cross. As Hebrews 12: 2 says, “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.”

Jesus has marked out the path for us. All we have to do is look forward and look back and it will be clear. Look forward to the joy that will be ours. Look back to the victory he has won in his death and resurrection.

Head: Can you see how life changing it is to fix your eyes on Jesus and the path he has marked out for you?

Heart: Let your heart anticipate the joy of heaven. Just stop and ponder that for a moment.

Hands: What wrong ways of thinking, speaking and behaving to you need to “throw off” so you can follow Jesus in a less hindered way?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I give praise and thanks to Jesus for marking out the path for us. Thank you that his death and resurrection guarantees our place with you for eternity. That being the case, please enable me to throw off wrong ways of thinking, speaking and behaving, so I can follow Jesus in a less hindered way. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

A song to listen to: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Phil Strong

This Grow Daily was originally posted as part of The Jesus in series in 2016. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the best of Grow Dailys over the years.