Focus, Running, and a Lesson from a 6-year-old

I was fortunate to attend part of a great conference a few weeks ago and the main verses of teaching were from Hebrews 12.  Since then, I've thought often about what it really means to run the race laid out before us.  Am I standing on the sidelines not even in the race?  Am I stuck somewhere in the middle of the road?  Am I walking leisurely instead of running?  I think I've probably been in all of the places at one time.  What keeps us from really running this great race with God?  The answer is in the text,

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-2 (MSG)

I know I've been quoting from The Message often, but don't you love the picture this literally paints for us.  I can picture the "faithful" ones who are listed in the previous chapter cheering us on.  So, what DOES keep us from running?  Here it says "strip down" the "spiritual fat" and "parasitic sins."  Other versions says "lay aside every weight and sin."  I read this and I want to say, "I'm trying. I'm trying," but the next part is just as important.  We do this by focusing on Jesus and eternity.  It says "he (Jesus) never lost sight of where he was headed."  I lose sight often. I get distracted.  I have spiritual ADD (and Jason would say actual ADD - Squirrel! ;) ).  I let things steal my focus.

This morning I was talking with my 6 year old about his handwriting page.  Lately, one page has been taking him 45 minutes to one hour to complete.  I talked with him about focus and not getting distracted.  We talked about a goal of completing it in 15 minutes and that I knew he could do it if he stayed focused.  As I sat down and looked up at him with his eyes on the paper working hard, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me, speaking to me, saying "See what's happening here. Learn from it." Caleb finished his handwriting in less than 15 minutes and he did it well.  All because he focused.  Why do I take my eyes off my Savior?  These verses have the answer to so many of my struggles.  Fix my eyes on my Jesus and I can run like He intended.

I think this might be my next journal.  Find it at Etsy here.