Keep Your Eyes on the Prize


Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left, turn your foot away from evil.
(Proverbs 4:25-27)

When I’m driving down a dark unfamiliar road I’m very attentive to what lies ahead. I don’t want to take the risk of an accident if I lose focus. My Christian walk deserves and requires the same focus and attention. There are many pitfalls vying for my consideration. One step to the left or right, toward sinful temptations, will result in a painful fall into unrighteousness. Painful, because it will require deep soul searching and repentance.
It’s important to look straight ahead because it’s so easy to be lured off the righteous path. Jesus is always standing before me beckoning me to follow him and if I keep him at the center of my vision I will not stray too far. Temptation circles on either side of me trying to entice me to leave the upright path behind and give in to my worldly lusts. I have to confess; my record is not perfect, but I know I’m forgiven and restored when I repent of my sins. Whenever I fail the Lord, I ask his forgiveness and my slate is wiped clean.
If I only stop for a moment and give careful consideration to what’s at stake if I fall away. Even if I believed in ‘once saved, always saved’ (I do not) I would be breaking the heart of our Lord and Savior when I turn away toward sin. Every time I leave the righteous path, the God who saved me sheds a tear. The great thing is when I ask for forgiveness he is faithful to forgive and rejoices with me at my return to righteousness.
If you have slipped up and backslid into your old sinful life, even if it’s been years since you prayed, it’s not too late to return to Jesus. He wants to forgive you and bring you back to a righteous life. Unlike us, he will not hold a grudge. He forgives and then forgets our sins. He knows we are imperfect and that we’ll occasionally fall or make bad decisions. Even if you think it’s too late for you, give him a chance to show you how much he loves you. Tell him you’re sorry, today.







Our Father in heaven, all that is good, and pure, and perfect in this world is due to your greatness. You are the light of the world and you set yourself as the guiding beacon we should follow. Whenever we step off the path of righteousness, it’s because we have taken our eyes off of the cross. We know of the pitfalls that await us when we sin, but we still sin from time to time. Sometimes, we fail you every day. We don’t want to, Lord God. We want to always make our lives a fragrant offering to you. We want to show everyone that we love you and are following your will for our lives, but we still fail you. The amazing thing is, even though we fall into sin almost every day, with our repentance, you always forgive us. Lord be with us in our daily walk. Give us the desire to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading when we’re tempted to step off the righteous path. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
Location: Kendall, NY 14476, USA

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