You Walk More Quickly When You Face Forward

My girls and I walked a lot this past August and September. I was trying to stay upright and active as my third child’s due date approached, so we went on a walk every day that we could. My almost 4-year-old could walk at a brisk pace quite easily, but my 2-year-old struggled. Until the end of the summer, she had been riding in a stroller for a portion of our walks. I put the stroller away so she could get used to being a “big girl” and walking alongside me.

As long as she would keep her eyes focused ahead of us, her pace was fine. However, as soon as she looked to the side and became distracted by a squirrel, a bird, or a neighbor mowing his lawn, her pace slowed and she had trouble keeping up. It didn’t take me long to notice that there was a spiritual lesson in this pattern.

In a spiritual sense, I walk more quickly when I face forward. When I get distracted by the things going on around me, I tend to slow down. As a Christian, facing forward isn’t just about focusing on the future; facing forward means keeping my eyes fixed on the One who goes before me.

“The Lord himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Of course, I’m not distracted by squirrels, birds, and lawn mowers, but there are plenty of things that distract me. These include comparison, busyness, laziness, pride, and worry. These things are actually pretty pervasive in my life, so how can I get my eyes off of them and fix them on Jesus? I don’t have it all figured out, but here are the strategies that have worked best for me so far.

• Making sure I have time for prayer and Bible reading each day (it’s possible to do this, even as a busy mom)
• Memorizing Bible verses that address the specific distractions I face
• Posting Bible verses around the house as reminders to focus on the Lord
• Singing worship songs as I go about my daily tasks
• Praying for the people and situations I encounter
• Spending time with other Christians
• Limiting busyness
• Getting accountability in order to address sin struggles

None of these are earth-shattering strategies. In fact, if you really think about it, they are all pretty simple. However, none of them come about on their own. I have to be very intentional about implementing them. When I do this (I’m better at it in some seasons than in others), it really makes a difference! They help me keep my eyes on Jesus, which means I walk quickly and in the right direction.

Tell me about your experience. Do you walk more quickly when you keep your eyes forward and fixed on Jesus? What things help you keep focused on Him throughout the day?