Distracted & Enamored?

How often we lose sight of our Savior because some storefront glass along one of life’s city streets caught our eye. Glancing sideways and not forward, much like a little child we become distracted and enamored with our own reflection. Our forward pace slows to a crawl and then we stop altogether, mildly captivated by our own mirrored image. Following Christ momentarily ceases to be our focus and, in what seemed an instant, He led on ahead and we lost our way.

When we come to ourselves and to our senses (and by grace we do) we find that we are standing still and feeling very alone. Christ led the way but we were distracted, maybe for a few moments or days or weeks. He moved on while we dawdled before the window. Then we knew not the next step to take or in which direction it should be. Rather than standing still and crying out to Him, that He will come to us and forgive us and lead us again, we wander down one street and then another. Before long we feel all turned-around, disoriented, bewildered and in a state of spiritual confusion.

It is tempting to think we might just watch the flow of the crowd and find our way. Notable Christians are going on their way; if we follow them we will surely find our way, too. There is profound Paul and his ever-encouraging friend Barnabas, diligent Timothy and committed Titus, bold Luther and mild Melanchthon, fearless Knox and eloquent Spurgeon, and even some of our contemporaries who we admire. But, in the end, each of us must run his own race, trace his own course.

We each have a unique marathon course laid out for us in the providence of God and are guided by the compass of His Word. And while we may be encouraged to see a Joseph, David, Peter or John run well, to fix our eyes upon them is not how we find our pathway. They encourage and inspire, but it is Jesus who gives us faith to begin with, who strengthens us and leads us through life. We must fix our eyes on Him, because He is “the author and perfecter of our faith.” He is the object of our believing and the One who guarantees that our faith will reach its final goal in glory with Him.

We each have unique lives; one is never exactly like another. Therefore, we expect each person’s course to be one-of-a-kind. Yet no Christian runs his race in solitude. Christ has appointed it otherwise; we are added to His church when we are saved. And unlike a physical race, this spiritual race is not a competition. We may run hand-in-hand, heart-to-heart, pulling for and helping one another.

Let us each run our unique course, loving and helping one another. And we help each other best when we direct each other’s eyes to fix on Jesus, who is “the way.” If ever we find ourselves distracted and enamored by our own reflection, let us call again upon our Lord Jesus; surely He will come into view and lead us on our way. –TSA