The little boy was excited. “Watch how fast I can run in my new shoes!” he shouted as he raced across the playground. When he turned to check to see if I was watching, he collided with another child. After ice packs helped both bumped heads, the little boy was more careful to watch where he was running.

Isn’t this what happens to each of us? As we run the race of life, our eyes wander from our ultimate goal and settle on earthly treasures. Then our hearts follow. Jesus reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 5:21). We are headed for collision.

But Jesus doesn’t leave us on our own. He picks us up and lovingly brings us back to him. He gives the comfort of forgiveness and reminds us of the faith God put in our hearts in the first place. Over and over again he puts us back on the heavenly path.

He tells us “Be faithful, even to the point of death.” (Revelation 2:10). Jesus doesn’t leave us to do this on our own. He gives us wonderful tools: God’s Word, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. He guides us in worship, Bible study, and prayer. And he even asks that we share the good news of salvation with the people around us. We get to tell little ones and their families about Jesus, and in that process our faith is also strengthened.

With the command to be faithful, God makes an amazing promise: “I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Any earthly crown will tarnish and eventually decay, but the crown God promises lasts forever. We will be with our triumphant Savior in heaven and will face no more temptation, sin, or trouble. We will have the ultimate victory. Our eyes will never leave our beloved Savior.

“Therefore, . . . 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) Keep your eyes on Jesus and look forward to the victor’s crown.