Feb 25

In these verses, Paul instructs us to fix our eyes on Jesus as we run the Christian race. As I have been meditating on what it means to fix my eyes on Jesus, I started to think about the blinders that horses sometimes wear. Why do horses wear blinders, and how does this apply to Paul’s instruction for us?

1. Horses, who are easily sidetracked, wear blinders to eliminate distractions and focus their minds on the race. 

Just like horses, we, too, need to tune out the distractions around us. Social media, world events, a pastime or hobby, relationships, entertainment, or even sin all threaten to hinder and entangle us.

2. By limiting a horse’s scope of vision, blinders help horses to stay focused on their jockey or rider’s signals.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can be more in tune to the voice and signals of our Jockey, the Holy Spirit. John 16 tells us that the role of the Holy Spirit is to keep us from stumbling (v.1), to convict us concerning sin and righteousness (v. 8), and to guide us into all truth (v. 13). 

3. Blinders help horses to pull straight. Without blinders, horses are tempted to turn their heads to the right or the left, causing them to veer off course.

The Christian life is often described in the Bible as a “path” or a “way” which we must follow. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, who is our ultimate example, helps us to stay on God’s path. 

4. Blinders help reduce horses’ stress by calming their flight instinct when they hear a noise or see a shadow or perceived threat. 

Likewise, fixing our eyes on Jesus brings us peace. We do not have to be gripped by fear or shaken by our circumstances; but instead, we can rest in knowing that He is in control and He will walk alongside us.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus is not instinctual for us, but with deliberate attention and perseverance, we can learn to put our blinders on and focus only on Him.

Prayer Prompts

1. What distractions or sins have you allowed to take your eyes off Jesus? Ask the Lord to reveal anything that is stealing your focus. Confess these things to Him and ask Him to help you remove them from your life.
2. To hear the Holy Spirit more clearly and to stay on God’s path, we need to spend time daily in God’s Word. Ask the Lord to help you to make reading His Word a priority in your life.
3. Pray for your family, friends, our church, and other believers to put their blinders on and fix their eyes on Jesus.

Pray for your unsaved friends, family, and coworkers, who have not yet trusted Jesus as their Savior. Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to share Jesus with them and share how fixing your eyes on Jesus helps you weather life’s challenges.

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Dawn Zapata

Women's Ministry Leader