Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

The hallways at my job are always filled with people in motion.  The crowd might be parents dropping off or picking up their children.  Sometimes classrooms are on their way to the bathroom or waiting for their friends to come out of the bathroom.  Or, it might be therapists with their clients transitioning to, or from, therapy.  No matter the time of the day, there are always people in the halls.

That means that there are always people to watch.  There are always people to distract my friends as they transition to my office.  I find that I spend much of the time on the way to, and from, my office saying, “Turn around.  Watch where you’re walking.”  My little friends have a habit of walking with their heads turned to look at anyone, and anything, except for where they’re going.

What’s the danger in that?  My office is not on a straight course from any of the classrooms.  We have to turn often as we make our way.  There are walls, and doors, and the previously mentioned crowds in the halls.  Walking with your head facing the wrong way has the potential to cause you to hurt yourself.

I’m not talking in theory.  I see kids walk into walls, doors, and other people all the time because their focus is shifted.  Sometimes, they listen to my repeated warnings and escape danger.  Other times, they slam right into the obstacles that were in their path.

Of course, this has spiritual implications for you and for me.  Although my life is advancing and time is moving forward, I often find myself looking back at the past.  I think about how I could have done things differently.  I run over facts in my mind.  I get stuck in sad loops.  And it causes me to hurt myself, because I’m not focused on where I’m going.

Old things are passed away.  While it is wise to evaluate our mistakes, we can’t get stuck in the past.  We must shift our focus forward.  The Bible tells us in Philippians 3:14 to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  God is not taking us backwards.  He’s taking us forward AND upward.  To higher heights and a renewed sense of purpose.  God wants us to make it through this life with dignity.  When we focus on His plans for us and keep our eyes on the prize, we win.  #wepreach