We have all seen a father stand over the shoulders of his fledgling son, placing his hands on a bat atop his son’s little hands, encouraging him with the words, “Keep your eyes on the ball.” This father knows that with his eyes and mind in the bleachers, or on his friend in right field, his son will not likely have the opportunity to make the trek around the bases. To play ball well requires both natural ability and acquired skill, but neither is enough if one’s eyes wander or his mind is not in the game.
Several times in the Word of God, the Christian life is compared to a sporting event; being successful and productive in life requires the same determinations as being a winning athlete. For example, the scriptures reveal that the believer’s life is like running a race. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (1Corinthians 9:24)” In this race called life it is important that we are constantly “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)” The word “author” here means He is the Originator, the one who established this path of faith that leads to God. The word “finisher” means Completer, or Perfecter; He is the One who, at the end of life will present to you the things you have hoped for, but have not yet seen.
The path of life is long and sometimes foreboding. It is crucial that we keep our mind and eyes fixed on Him who, in His own earthly pilgrimage was “…touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)”
Perhaps this is all new to you. Our culture, our rebellious nature, and Satan, the enemy of our souls, have blinded your mind and eyes to the truth. Very simply God says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23),” and then He says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)”