Eyes Forward. (Run the Race!)
- Josh Huisman
- May 29
- 2 min read
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Race horses are amazing creatures. They are strong, fast, and are the perfect picture of athleticism. Horses will give all they have and endure to the end of each race they run. The horses, though, have a weakness. They are easily distracted and their eyes are prone to wander.
As a result, trainers must put blinders (known as blinkers) on the horse so their eyes will be shielded from looking to the side. When a horse becomes distracted by something next to them or behind them, they will unintentionally slow down. Why? Because their focus is no longer on the race itself, but on the participants in the race.
Distractions and losing focus in a horse race can be the difference between winning and losing by a millisecond.
As I was reading Psalm 37:7 I thought about how distractions can cause us to slow down in our pursuit of God and the race He has marked out for us. We look to our left and see someone "propsering in his way." We look to our right and see another person who doesn't deserve good things getting good things...and we unintentionally slow down in our own race because we are so caught up in someone else's race.
Well, let me get your attention.
EYES FORWARD. RUN YOUR OWN RACE!
Isn’t that what God wants us to do? We are not to worry about what is happening to the side of us or behind us, but to "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:13-14)
Perhaps we all need “spiritual” blinkers that will prevent distractions and keep us focused on what God has for us in the future.
How much more would you accomplish for Christ if you stopped looking around at what everyone else was doing and you just focused on what God was calling you to do?
Stop analyzing your surroundings and stay focused on the race ahead. Don't let distractions slow you down anymore. Put on spiritual blinders and watch as God equips you with strength.
Eyes forward, my friend, RUN YOUR OWN RACE!
Heavenly Father, block out the distractions in my life so I can focus on the path you have laid out for me! I want to run the race you have given me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN.
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