March 24 Keep Your Eyes on The Prize

 Theme: Living for eternity in a distracted world.

Dr. Terry-Ann Robinson
Kings SDA Church

PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 NKJV Brethren, I do not count myself to have [a]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

On your mark, get set, go! They took off in a flash towards the finish line. The winner of the race was clear to everyone until he took a right turn towards an attractive group of cones that were being set up for another race. The teacher frantically rushed over to him and ran with him to the finish line. But by the time he arrived, the other toddlers had crossed the line. I smiled and watched as all the parents laughed and cheered him on.

In the race of life, many of us make the same mistake. We get distracted by the colorful things of this world. The ever-changing clips on our screens absorb our attention. Do you want to know if you have lost sight of the prize? Check your screen time. Which app consumes most of your time?  Do an audit of your 24-hour day. Are you so consumed by work that you don't spend time in His word? How often do you stop to pray? How often do you stop to listen to the still, small voice of Jesus?

The Lord knew that in the last days, distraction would be one tools that Satan uses to keep us away from him. Phil 3:13, 14 tells us to forget the things that are behind us, and reach for the things that are before us, and press towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us.

We can't win a race if we keep turning back. We must reach. Stretch. Step out of a relaxed position. Do the uncomfortable. Then we must press. A Press is not just a touch. When we press, we apply pressure. Pressing requires effort. It's intentional.

When I was a student, I spent many, many hours studying. I stayed in while my friends were out because I had a goal. I couldn’t find time to idle. My wait time was study time. Social media lost its importance. Netflix and chill became non- existent. I couldn’t afford to have idle time. My eyes were on the prize.

If you and I can sacrifice to get what we want, then why can't we sacrifice to spend time with God? If we can spend hours talking to a human we love, then why can't we spend hours talking to the God we love? Are we focusing on the wrong prize? We will always find the time to do things that are important to us. Regardless of how much effort it takes, if we want it badly enough, then we will do it.

How much do you want to see Jesus?

The "reach" for us in the 21st Century may look like waking up at 4 am in the morning to pray. It may look like having a specific time to meditate on God's words each day. It may look like disconnecting from Social Media. It may look like hiding your digital devices from yourself for a few hours so you can listen to the voice of Jesus.

Every second of our day, we decide if we will look toward the finish line or if we will gaze at the things on the sidelines. We think that we have time to get it right. Unfortunately, the race may be over before we make it to the finish line.

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to see you. Help me to strip away the distractions that draw my attention away from You. Grant me the strength to turn my focus toward Your Word and to be diligent in prayer. Help me to make intentional choices that allow for deeper moments of worship, prayer, and reflection. Amen.