Keeping Your Eye On The Prize
We’ve all likely heard “keep your eye on the goal” or prize. To do this, one must first have a goal. Then, the “prize” is often achieved by focusing on and reaching a series of goals. We all are taught this at a young age. For instance, when the young boy begins “T” ball, he soon learns about the “home run”. This is a ‘prize’ because if he gets one, he will be cheered, and his team will have another score on the board. But he soon finds out this requires completing several steps or targets to reach so he can accomplish the “home run” goal. First, he must keep his eye on the ball. Secondly, he must swing the bat with enough force to propel the ball over the fence or way out in the outfield. Thirdly, he must run the bases and finally, he can cross ‘home plate’. What a joy to receive the prize.
Jesus taught about focus in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matt. 6:21-24, we see the fallacy of divided attention (lack of focus). We are likely familiar with verse 24 and the fact that one cannot serve two masters. This was preceded by Christ’s teaching on focus in verses 22-23 when He said: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! This passage also teaches that the object of one’s focus is as important as the focus itself.
If a person’s focus is not proper they are likely to desire the wrong kind of prize. Jesus had warned His disciples against improper focus. He warned them against focusing on earth and its temporary treasures. He also taught them to look for eternal wealth. In Matt. 6:21 He told them: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. By this He meant that one’s mind would be inclined toward whatever that individual deemed to be the most important thing to them, and that is what they will hold dear over all else.
Consider the events of Mark 10:17-22. We are aware of the occurrences reported. When the young man approached the Savior, he claimed to desire ‘eternal life’. The Lord told him to inherit eternal life, he would need to keep the Commandments, and Christ named a few. The young man thought this eternal prize was within reach until the Lord, knowing his mind, and loving him said: One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21) Then, in the following verse, Mark 10:22, we see what was of greater value and more important to him than eternal life. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
How sad it is that many fail to realize the value of their soul. This young man valued his “great possessions” more highly than where he would spend eternity. The object of his focus was improper. His material wealth couldn’t save his soul. In verse 23, Christ told them: How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! He then clarified and drove the point home when His disciples were amazed. It was not this man’s “riches” that were in the way, but his love of them. Christ showed this in verse 24. Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! All of this was under the Old Testament Law, before the establishment of the church.
But this is also the same as the New Testament teaches in1Tim. 6:9-10 which shows what diverts the focus of some Christians and causes them to take their eyes off the prize. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. The “love of money” is what the Lord had in mind in Matt. 16:26 when He asked these questions. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Sadly, many are ready to ‘sell their soul’ and they take their eyes off the prize in so doing.
Equally damning is the mistake folks make of thinking they have “made it” before the end of this life. The ‘rich man’ of Luke 12:16-21 took his eye off of the eternal prize of heaven because he foolishly spent all his time and effort on obtaining and maintaining his ‘goods’ he thought would sustain him many years. Little did he realize time runs out when we least expect it. Many religious folks think they have their ‘ticket punched’ for the trip to glory. They take their eyes off the prize and simply go through life focused on the things of this life. These will miss the mark!
Should we not rather be as Paul was in Phil. 3:12-14, realizing that we have not “already attained”? Verse 13 shows there is no value in dwelling (focusing) on the past (things which are behind). The goal is attained only by maintaining focus and continuing to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (verse 14).
Make sure the “prize” is the right one. Follow God’s Rules, it’s His prize of heaven we are seeking. Keep your eye on the prize. Help others see it through God’s Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
