Let’s make a million bucks together; we’ll split it. I’ll provide the idea; you do the graphics. Let’s make a T-shirt with a picture of the screen of a GPS across it. However, instead of the street arrow pointing to the next intersection, it points to the sandaled feet of Jesus, as He walks up the road ahead of us, leading us forward. Then, below that picture, one word: “Recalculating!” Nice, huh?
Hebrews 12:2, continuing with coaching tips for those who are struggling to hold on to their faith (this topic starts here), says this:
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. (Heb 12:2)
This tip builds on the previous one, continuing the idea of living life as a marathon race. When you are running a race, you keep the finish line in mind to motivate you in the tough moments. There is a real sense in which Jesus is our finish line! Think about it…
But this verse also says He is the “author and perfecter of our faith.” What does that mean?
The word, Author, means He invented faith, He brought it into being. Ever ride a Segway? – those two wheeled “balancy” things? Imagine getting on the prototype, the day it was invented, by Dean Kamen. You get on it and It feels like it is going to fall over. What do you do? You look over at Dean and say, “Am I doing this right?” Same thing with the “Author” or inventor of our faith. You keep your eyes on Him. “Am I doing this right?”
The word, Perfecter, means the One Who brings faith all the way to its complete, intended conclusion. Again, that’s Jesus. These challenges we face in this life are used by Jesus to prepare us for a life in which faith, perfect faith, is the norm! Keep your eye on Him, because He won’t quit working on you until you get there, until your faith is perfect, lacking nothing, complete.
… He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6b)
There’s a reason that people have teams as they participate individually in sports of endurance . You can run farther, faster and better when you are running with a teammate. If you are alone in a race, it helps to fix your eyes on a better runner, letting his example “lead you on” and motivate you. In the marathon of following Jesus, as we struggle to hang on to our faith, it makes all the difference to
“fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.”
There’s more to this – too much for today. Stay tuned.
FRESH BREAD OF LIFE 
Awesome Tshirt idea! =D
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