Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,”

I just came home from playing golf this morning and endured another 18 holes where I played both good and bad. When I played well, I noticed as usual that I had great focus followed by good execution. When I played badly, I did not have focus or execution. Both are crucial, and one comes before the other. I fully understand that golf is as much mental as it is physical, or even more so. When I let things around me interfere with my focus and take my eyes off the ball and club, I do not execute or play well. I also thought about the last football game on Saturday with the Aggies and LSU. Some of our receivers lost focus, took their eyes off the ball, and dropped enough passes to cost them the game. Even one play with lost focus and execution can cause the whole team to lose the game.

How does this apply to a Christian and a spiritual leader? When we take our eyes off Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we can lose our focus and not execute. It takes both to succeed, and it starts with focus. God’s Word and the Holy Spirit constitute our focus, but we are responsible to execute the game plan of that focus. Just like sand traps and water hazards distract us in golf, Satan throws everything he can to turn our eyes from Jesus to keep us from focusing and executing how he wants us to live. Have you ever noticed when you lose focus during your prayer and Bible time, your execution for the rest of the day may be off? A day without focus and subsequent execution can negatively impact the team you lead. When Peter was focused and kept his eyes on Jesus, he executed walking on water. But he began to sink when he lost his focus and took his eyes off Jesus. His only hope was to keep his eyes and focus on Jesus. However, Jesus is the greatest example of focus and execution. He was focused on the cross and executed his God-given assignment on the cross for you and me. Fix your eyes on him.