Looking To Our Leader

Alexander the Great had been leading his army across the hot scorching sand for days. He and his men had parched throats, scorched skin, eyes crusted with particles of sand and muscles that had difficulty in responding to orders to move forward.

Early one morning as the sun was beginning to rise, his advance guard appeared bringing him a container of water. His troops watched with envy as he accepted it. Then slowly and with great deliberation he poured it on the sand and said, “It is not right for one to drink when so many are thirsty.” He did not have enough water to give each man a sip, but he gave them the inspiration to continue their journey to victory and success.

Later they found the water they needed to survive. But that day they saw a leader who loved them and they followed him willingly.

When we look at Jesus, our leader, we see in Him the supreme example of how we are to live and what we are to do. The Christian life involves discipline and determination, commitment and conviction. It requires us to focus on our calling on Christ and a willingness to endure hardships for His sake and in the strength we receive from Him. Our endurance in the Christian life will depend on our keeping our eyes upon Him and Him alone. If we take our eyes off of Him we will stumble, fall and fail. If we allow our eyes to remain fixed on the circumstances that surround us or if we willingly let temptation overcome us, we will not be able to finish the race He has called us to run.

We can successfully run the race that is before us “by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” We run for Him and with Him and finally, to Him!

Prayer: Our Father, we ask for Your strength as we run the race that You have set before us which we know will lead us into Your presence and the place You have reserved for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.