Five years ago, when I was first learning how to drive, driving at night and in high-fog situations honestly intimidated me (and to this day, that fear lingers a little).

I dreaded getting in a vehicle, but especially when my view of the road ahead was limited. My daddy would always tell me, “Kelsi, no matter how dark and/or foggy it is, the oncoming traffic will not be an issue as long as you stay focused on the lines of the lane you’re in. You’ll be okay.”

That practical advice has proved to be true time and time again, on the road and in this crazy thing we call life.

But the other night on my late, foggy drive home, I applied that same advice to my walk with Jesus.

Undoubtedly, there will be foggy and dark times in lifetimes when you're not sure where you're headed - times where your view of the road ahead is definitely limited. There will be times when life throws way more at you than you can handle. There will be days you’ll be ready to throw that towel in and call it quits.

BUT the Word of God reminds us to stay focused, just like my sweet dad did.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

I don’t just get in my car and drive aimlessly, hoping that eventually, I'll make it home. I get in my car with a purpose and plan- to make it home safely. The author of Hebrews urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, then to run with endurance. He implores believers to live and run with a purpose.

If I were just driving aimlessly, I would probably be distracted by things I see on my route- other vehicles, road signs, trees, houses, and even cute puppies. But because I get in my car with a mission – to reach my destination – those small things I encounter on my route don’t distract me as easily as they have potential to.

Believers are called to live lives unpolluted by this world and the distractions that tend to easily swerve into our lanes.

When our eyes are fixed on Jesus and our minds are focused on eternity, we will be less likely to find ourselves entangled in sin and more likely to run this race with endurance and confidence.