Nothing good in life comes easy.  If it were easy, everyone would be doing that one thing that you are striving for.  Maybe it is trying to go back to school, landing your dream job, or hoping to have a family one day.  None of it is easy and there will be days that you will want to give up.  However, whatever that one thing is that you are striving for, remember to ‘keep your eye on the prize.’  The prize is the end-result that you are aiming for!

In Hebrews 12:1-13, Paul says that in our journey of following Jesus, we too will want to give up and become weary.  He says for us to keep our eye on the prize – with the prize being Jesus Christ!  Paul makes it clear that our struggle will be sin. He states, “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1).

I can promise you that trying to live a right life in Jesus Christ will be difficult, tiring, and frustrating.  There will be days when you feel like giving up.  There will be days that you will question what you are doing and why you are doing it.  There will be days that are hard and painful.  But, keep your eye on the prize!  There will be a peace, that in the end, you lived for Christ and knowing the reward will be great.  (Hebrews 12:11).

Let us pray, Gracious God, give each of us the strength to keep going – to keep our eyes on you to make us strong and live for you.  We love you so much – Amen.