If you are a football fan you have certainly noticed that Minnesota Viking rookie running back, Adrian Peterson is having a record setting year. Already at the half way point of his first season he has set two NFL records and he is leading the NFL in rushing yards. It is fun to watch, if you are a Vikings fan.
So now that he is off to this phenomenal start people are lining up to try and explain what makes him so good. One theory suggested by former NFL running back Tiki Barber is that Adrian is successful because he keeps his eyes straight ahead, looking only towards the goal. Other running backs are looking around trying to avoid obstacles, but Adrian constantly looks toward the end zone. Does that sound familiar?
The apostle Paul exhorted the church at Corinth to live the Christian life in a similar manner. Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (I Cor. 9:24). Paul went on to say that athletes discipline themselves to win a perishable prize, but Christians are running toward an imperishable prize.
December is a great time to hear Pauls words reminding us to keep our focus on the goal. The Christmas season, while drawing our attention to Jesus, also brings with it countless distractions. Nearly everyone struggles with the time crunch that December brings. The author of Hebrews says that we are to run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, (Heb. 12:1-2).
Whether you are a running back in the NFL, or a mission minded Christian, the advice is the same. Keep your eyes on the goal. It is my prayer that I, along with all of you will be able to say with the apostle Paul I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14), even in the midst of all of the distractions that Christmas can bring.