Renew Your MindSýnishorn

Day 6: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Scripture:
“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 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)

Devotional:

Your mind follows your eyes. Wherever you focus, your thoughts begin to drift in that direction. This drift is why, in the battle for your mind, few commands are more powerful than this: fix your eyes on Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews gives us a vivid image: life is a race, and faith is the endurance needed to run it well. But this isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon marked by glory and suffering. And just like any race, where you look matters. You'll stumble if your eyes are on the distractions, the pain, or the people in other lanes. But if your eyes are locked on Christ, you’ll run with clarity and purpose.

The phrase “fixing our eyes” means to direct your attention fully and intentionally. It’s not a casual glance; it’s a determined gaze. It implies looking away from everything else and looking only at Him. This fixation is more than admiration; it is an intentional focus.

But why Jesus? Why is He the one we must fix our eyes on?

Because He is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” He started your faith, and He will finish it. He is not just a model of how to live; He is the One who makes living by faith possible. Every thought you bring into obedience, every lie you cast down, every act of obedience you walk in begins and ends with Jesus. He went before you, and He now empowers you.

When Jesus faced the cross, He endured its suffering because of the joy set before Him. That joy was the glory of redeeming you. He scorned the shame, didn’t let it define Him, and endured what seemed unbearable. Why? Because His focus was forward. His focus was the Father’s will. His focus was on you. In the same way, fixing your eyes on Him gives you the strength to endure.

It’s easy to get distracted by fear, regret, what-ifs, or temptations. These distractions pull your mind into loops of anxiety, shame, or performance. But when you fix your eyes on Jesus, you anchor your thoughts in truth. You see life through His grace, strength, and victory.

So, how do you practically fix your eyes on Jesus?

• Start your day with Him. Before you scroll, stress, or start solving, fix your focus. Read His Word. Talk to Him in prayer. Let His presence reset your gaze.
• Bring Him into your day. Bring your thoughts back to Him whether driving, working, or cooking. Whisper a prayer. Recall a promise. Sing a worship song. He’s with you.
• Catch your drift. When your mind begins to spiral into distraction or despair, gently but firmly redirect your focus back to Christ. Ask yourself: What is true about Jesus in this moment?
• Visualize His nearness. He is seated at the Father's right hand, victorious and interceding for you. Imagine His strength flowing into your weakness.

Remember, fixing your eyes on Jesus isn’t something you do once; it’s something you return to daily, even moment by moment. Your focus will shape your feelings, and your feelings will shape your decisions. So when your thoughts wander, bring them back to Him. Make Him the anchor, not the afterthought.

Prayer:
Jesus, I want to run this race well. I confess that my eyes are easily distracted, and my thoughts often drift. Help me fix my eyes on your strength, love, and victory. When my mind is overwhelmed, bring me back to the simplicity of your presence. You are the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Keep my focus steady and my heart anchored in you. It is in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.