Greetings brothers and sisters,
As we step into a new year, many of us will naturally begin to reflect on our lives of the past year. We think about what needs to change, what habits to form, and what goals to set. Yet, in all our determination, it’s easy to be distracted in life because it floods us with news alerts, social media updates, and the rush of busyness. And with all this, without realizing it, our eyes which are the eyes of our heart begins to drift from Christ toward the chaos around us. There is one simple truth we all must bring ourselves to, we must refocus our eyes back onto Jesus and not on people, on problems, or on what others are doing. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 says:
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This is the command that holds everything together. We are not just told to “try harder” or “do better.”
We are told to look to Jesus. Our focus determines our direction. What we focus on will shape our faith. If we focus on problems, we will grow discouraged. If we focus on people, we will become disappointed.
But when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we will find strength, peace, and renewal.
Jesus began our faith as the Author and He will complete it as the Finisher. What He starts, He will finish. And we take courage because our Savior didn’t stop halfway, He endured the cross, He despised its shame, and now He reigns victorious at the right hand of the Father.
A new year is like the beginning of another lap in the race. The crowd may roar, the path may twist, but our focus remains the same — Christ at the finish line.
How are we to fix our eyes on Jesus for the new year?
Some practical ways are: “Refocusing” through Scripture. You can begin and end your days with the Word. Let the voice of Christ be louder than the noise of the world, then learn to release whatever weighs you down. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what burdens are slowing you down. Maybe it is comparison, bitterness, or misplaced priorities. Confess them before God and leave them behind, trusting His grace to renew your heart. Another thing for us to remember is to run in community, not isolation.
The race of faith is not to run alone. The “cloud of witnesses” reminds us that we need one another. Surround yourself with believers who point you back to Jesus when life gets hard. Encourage and pray for one another so that faith stays strong, and endurance grows deep.
Brothers and sisters, as we begin this new year, take a moment to pause. Consider where your eyes have been looking. If you have been distracted, turn again toward Jesus. Fix your look back onto the One who endured the cross for you, who rose victorious, and who now calls you to run with endurance. Lay aside the weights. Let go of the sin. Lift your eyes. There is joy ahead, not because the race is easy, but because the Savior is faithful.
And so, in conclusion, I leave you with this; the Word of God doesn’t just inform us, it transforms us. As we step forward into this new year, may our attention, affection, and ambition all center on Jesus only. If He is at our center, everything else finds its rightful place. Amen.
All for His glory,
Pastor Vameng Pha
HBNA Vice President