Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Phil 3: 12-15
Some years back in the movie, Biker Boys, there is a very unique way that Lawrence Fishbourne’s character, Smoke, got ready for a race. He was very focused; he blocked out all the sounds, noises and distractions around him. He forgot those things that were around him in order to see only what was before him. His eyes were set on the goal and his mind was clear. The imagery they used to depict his course of action can be described as tunnel vision; where all else is blocked and blurred except his focal point; he was fixed on his purpose with one mind, one goal and he was at one with the road; his attention was geared towards getting to the finish line and winning the race.
Paul was no different, he also had tunnel vision. He is an example for us because of his perseverance, his determination, his strength of mind, his willpower, and his purpose to press toward the goal of God. He spared nothing when it came to telling us what it would take, in order to get to the finish line. These were not just words, but he lived the life he spoke about, he was a living epistle.
If we are going to reach perfection and our goal in Christ we will need tunnel vision. It requires that we are focused; also blocking out all the sounds, the noise and distractions that so easily overwhelms us (Hebrews 12:1). We must forget those things that surround us in order to reach forth to what is before us. Our eyes have to be set on the goal and keeping our minds clear of the clutter and the things that throw us off track; wrong attitudes, thoughts, viewpoints, opinions, and habits, our past hurts, wounds, offenses from others, and so many diversions. We must keep our minds focused on Jesus. Paul gives us great advice, he said, “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." We have to shake these things loose and get light for the fight (we will contend for the faith) and the flight. Keeping our eyes on the prize, heaven, which should always be in our view. We'll need tunnel vision; blocking out everything except our focal point; our eyes fixed on the goal.
The only difference between Smoke and Paul, is that Smoke’s purpose or his goal wasn’t pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God. However, his methods were firm and he was diligent in his quest to move forward towards his goal. A very admirable quality that we should possess because it will require that same thought, that same objective and pursuit to move forward towards our goal, reaching towards the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; that same determination to the putting on of the perfection of Christ. Holding forth the word of life; that we may rejoice in the day of Christ, that we have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
My goal today is simply to attain the art of tunnel vision, my goal, to reach the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
Phil 3: 12-15
Some years back in the movie, Biker Boys, there is a very unique way that Lawrence Fishbourne’s character, Smoke, got ready for a race. He was very focused; he blocked out all the sounds, noises and distractions around him. He forgot those things that were around him in order to see only what was before him. His eyes were set on the goal and his mind was clear. The imagery they used to depict his course of action can be described as tunnel vision; where all else is blocked and blurred except his focal point; he was fixed on his purpose with one mind, one goal and he was at one with the road; his attention was geared towards getting to the finish line and winning the race.
Paul was no different, he also had tunnel vision. He is an example for us because of his perseverance, his determination, his strength of mind, his willpower, and his purpose to press toward the goal of God. He spared nothing when it came to telling us what it would take, in order to get to the finish line. These were not just words, but he lived the life he spoke about, he was a living epistle.
If we are going to reach perfection and our goal in Christ we will need tunnel vision. It requires that we are focused; also blocking out all the sounds, the noise and distractions that so easily overwhelms us (Hebrews 12:1). We must forget those things that surround us in order to reach forth to what is before us. Our eyes have to be set on the goal and keeping our minds clear of the clutter and the things that throw us off track; wrong attitudes, thoughts, viewpoints, opinions, and habits, our past hurts, wounds, offenses from others, and so many diversions. We must keep our minds focused on Jesus. Paul gives us great advice, he said, “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." We have to shake these things loose and get light for the fight (we will contend for the faith) and the flight. Keeping our eyes on the prize, heaven, which should always be in our view. We'll need tunnel vision; blocking out everything except our focal point; our eyes fixed on the goal.
The only difference between Smoke and Paul, is that Smoke’s purpose or his goal wasn’t pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God. However, his methods were firm and he was diligent in his quest to move forward towards his goal. A very admirable quality that we should possess because it will require that same thought, that same objective and pursuit to move forward towards our goal, reaching towards the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; that same determination to the putting on of the perfection of Christ. Holding forth the word of life; that we may rejoice in the day of Christ, that we have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
My goal today is simply to attain the art of tunnel vision, my goal, to reach the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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