The great heroes of faith, who hath gone before us, are assembled in eternity's amphitheater, not as spectators who view our stuggles in life, but as testators, spiritual cheerleaders, who shout words of encouragement to us as we seek to run faithfully the race of this life. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) These forerunners would declare unto us that our God is faithful and can be depended on to keep His promises and to provide us all that is essential to our keeping His light burning. They would further tell us that in Him we can be adequate for whatever difficulties, plagues, or disasters that life may bring. They would join in a continuous shot that the prize of devine approval at the end of the way is worth all of the struggles, sacrifices and sufferings in this race.

The writer of the Hebrew text declares that there is a vital connection between our maintaining a vision of the Christ and winning the race of life that is set before us. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

Our looking to Jesus is not a casual or Sunday only look, but a fixation. Looking to Jesus should be a look of admiration, dependency, love and loyalty, gratitude and worship. The psalmist stated His look, "I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He that keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm 121:1-3)

Looking to Jesus means that we are to look away from everything else. There are many different places for one to look for success. So many have pinned there hopes on education, financial resources, friends, and scientific progress, even on the government. But for success in this Christian life, we must keep our focus on the One who has declared that, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:5)

The Apostle Paul knew the joy of keeping his focus on Jesus and winning the prize, for as he approached the end of his early journey, he was able to declare, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Looking to Jesus provides an inward satisfaction of knowing that you have fulfilled the divine purpose for your life and that you have achieved your appointed destiny.

We are encouraged that whatever comes up in our lives, we are to continually to look unto Him. God spoke unto the prophet Isaiah and said, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 45:22)