Fixing Your Eyes on the Right Target
A Mountain Biking Devotional
Ever hit a tricky section on a mountain biking trail and found yourself staring at a rock or tree you’re trying to avoid? That’s target fixation—when you focus so much on the obstacle that you end up steering right into it. In mountain biking, the trick is to look where you want to go, not at what you fear. Life as a Christian works the same way: where we fix our eyes shapes where we end up.
Turn to Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
The writer of Hebrews compares life to a race, urging us to focus on Jesus, not the obstacles around us. Like a mountain biker dodging roots and rocks, we’re called to keep our gaze on Christ, who blazed the trail of faith before us. When we fixate on distractions—worldly pressures, fears, or temptations—we risk crashing. But when we lock our eyes on Jesus, He guides us through the toughest parts of the trail.
What does this mean for us? Life’s path is full of hazards—cultural trends that clash with God’s truth, personal struggles, or moments of doubt that threaten to derail us. Target fixation in faith happens when we obsess over these challenges instead of trusting Jesus. Maybe you’re tempted to compromise your values to fit in or worry about what others think. Instead, fix your eyes on Christ. His example and strength keep us steady, helping us navigate with courage and purpose.
Ask yourself: What “obstacle” am I fixating on that’s pulling me off course? How can I shift my focus to Jesus today? He’s the perfect guide, leading us through every twist and turn.
Pray: Lord, forgive me for fixating on life’s obstacles instead of You. Help me keep my eyes on Jesus, trusting Him to guide me through every challenge. Give me strength to ride the path of faith with perseverance. Amen.
Take action: Today, identify one distraction or fear stealing your focus. Write it down, then beside it, write a truth about Jesus (e.g., “He is faithful” or “He gives strength”). When you feel drawn to that obstacle, redirect your focus to Him, like a biker looking at the clear path ahead.