To be successful, you have to keep your eye on the prize. Studies have shown those who push through the difficulties and challenges and keep their eyes on their goals are the ones who succeed. They are able to shut out all of the distractions and keep their eye on the prize. The same can be said for our faith. Peter encourages us to stay focused.
1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time
What if a lawyer showed up to your house to tell you that you have inherited millions of dollars? The only catch is that you don’t get it right now but in five years. Immediately all of your focus would be on those one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five days until you get your money. Everything else would take a back seat to that magical day. You would keep your eyes on that prize until the day it arrived.
Eternal Inheritance
Peter is telling us the same thing, except we are inheriting so much more. We have been born again through the mercy of Jesus Christ and given a whole new life. Plucked out of a life that was speeding towards death, but in his infinite mercy were spared that penalty. Then placed into a family that has riches that can’t be counted. The catch? We won’t inherit this until Jesus returns for his church.
Walk by Faith
What do we do in the meantime? How do we go about our days waiting for this inheritance? We walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7) We walk under the power and protection of the almighty God. We keep our eyes on the horizon looking for the returning Son while at the same time abounding in the work of the Lord. Keep your eyes on the prize that awaits you. The days can get long and tiresome, but that is why we rely on the strength of God not on our might (Zech 4:6).