Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to 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 (ESV)

For many people, summer is time to let their hair down. Kids are out of school and don't have to be engaged in classroom learning as much as they were. Parents find it easier to spend time with their children doing a variety of activities. Friends and distant relatives usually have an easier time of getting out to visit. And by and large, we as people of this country are just more relaxed and laid back as we lounge by the pool or the bay, do outside projects, and enjoy the warmer weather. In a sense, our focus is completely different than when life is in a higher gear.

Well, guess what? Summer is drawing to a close. School is starting back up. Church activities are resuming. The regular routine of life is returning. Soon the warm days and extended periods of light will give way to cooler temperatures and earlier sunsets. Unfortunately, it is time to get our focus back on the things that enable us to enjoy the summer months so well.

This transition from summer to fall is really a commentary on our life at times. At certain points in life, we are acutely aware of our weaknesses and the frailty of our flesh. This is especially true in those moments where we struggle with sin, when we encounter illness and disease, when we see our loved ones hurting and upset. However, when things are going well, when we don't see problems in our immediate line of sight, we sometimes let our hair down. Our focus may even be taken off of the cause for such peace and rest in our lives. Perhaps we skip out on church a few weeks, perhaps we forget to pray, perhaps we fail to involve ourselves in caring for our neighbor. It is in these times where we need to remember the greatness of God and his love and mercy towards us. We need to shift our focus back onto the source of life's blessings. And so the Hebrews author reminds us to cast off all sin and entanglements and fix our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the author by his sacrificial life, death, and resurrection. In the blood of the cross he has laid the foundation for our faith, and by his resurrection he has authored peace into our journey with him. He is the perfecter of that faith as he continues to come to us, in good times and in bad, to strengthen and defend us from the sins and weights that entangle us in life. What Christ gives to us, we need in times when our focus is strong, and when it is off line.

In the days ahead, these words have great meaning for us. In this time of waiting, it is crucial for us to fix our eyes on Jesus. We need the strength that only he can provide. We need the assurances that only he can give in Word and Sacrament. As you walk around town and encounter others, it will be easy to take your focus off of Jesus and fix them upon rumors and hearsay. But our Lord calls us to stay fixed upon what is true and eternal...the cross and the empty tomb, the wounds of Jesus, the glory of God. That is what sustains us, and that is what will see us through this time. I trust your summer was restful, but let us all now continue to fix our eyes on Christ that the work of the church may bring joy and hope into the lives of those we encounter each day!

I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path, And show me the way to the Father.
In Him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus. (LSB # 411, st. 2)
 

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