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High School VITTLES 9/1/2008 Before there was Michael Phelps there was Wilma Rudolph (click here to learn her story). We all know that Olympic athletes must have determination, do an incredible amount of training and most of all make some huge sacrifices. But without a clear goal and a focused mind the Gold Medals can easily slip through ones fingers. WE ALL HAVE DISABILITIES Like Wilma Rudolph we all have some type of disability. Maybe not braces on our legs.... but on our hearts and lives. They hold us back from experiencing life the way we are supposed to experience it. You know what I mean - right? Habits - addictions - struggling home life - fear of failure - disappointments - shattered dreams - pressure and pride - anything that makes us feel trapped or limited. WHEN WE FOCUS ON CHRIST, WE OVERCOME THE DISABILITIES Success for Wilma was to take her focus off her braces and limitations, and keep her eyes fixed on the gold medal at the Olympics. Bronze wasn't good enough - it had to be gold. Success for us is taking our eyes off ourselves, our problems, and our world and focusing not on a gold medal or any other thing - but on a person. That person is Jesus Christ. Focusing on a career or a title or a salary or a school are not bad things - unless they are your only thing. That's when they become a bronze medal. But the gold is Christ because when you focus on Him and put His honor in first place, everything else falls into place. Check out what it says in the Bible: 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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) What's your focus? Do you want to succeed in a way that lasts for eternity? Yes? Then take a cue from Michael and Wilma, and set your eyes on the relationship that is pure gold...Jesus Christ! Three things to remember: 1. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we will have success in this life and the eternal life ahead. 2. Think of what Jesus Christ did to purchase your salvation. 3. Are we willing each day to put Jesus first and to see His will versus our own. |