By Tanya Jolliffe
Our coach emphasized the importance of peripheral vision during one of my college off-season practice sessions. The practice was a test of our ability to remain aware of what was happening to either side of us while keeping our focus on what was straight ahead. It was undoubtedly one of our most challenging off-season practices, a fact the coach must have acknowledged as she treated us to a meal afterward.
My legs felt like rubber from the strenuous practice, and after sitting for a while during the meal, I found it difficult to regain my balance when I stood up to leave. As I stumbled and tried to steady my legs, I inadvertently walked into the coat hooks next to me on the wall. The irony was not lost on me or the others.
There are numerous advantages to being aware of what is happening on the court while keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. It allows you to know the positions of your teammates, the location of the out-of-bounds line, and the position of the net, giving you a strategic advantage.
As we navigate our day-to-day lives, we are bombarded with numerous distractions that can lead us astray from our faith. However, scripture serves as a guiding light, reminding us of the importance of where we fix our gaze.
Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV states, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
Just as an athlete must be peripherally aware of other players, the lines, and where they are on the field of play while focused on the ball to be successful at meeting the objectives of their sport, Christ-followers must be as well.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus because he IS the ball that allows us to succeed in the game of life. He helps us succeed by following his example regarding living, responding to conflict, and loving others. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfector of faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NIV). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
At the same time, knowing what is happening around us is vital while not allowing other people and their choices to misdirect us on our path. “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load” (Galatians 6:4-5 NIV).
Seeing others from a peripheral view also helps to limit coveting and aid contentment. We are taught not to covet, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17 NIV).
However, comparison by fixating on other people makes that more difficult. When we keep others in the periphery and Jesus clearly in sight, we can keep moving forward on the path of righteousness. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV). “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17 NIV).
Are you moving forward and growing in your faith, following the example of Christ? If you are, keep going! If you aren’t, perhaps you are spending too much time looking to the right or the left and not keeping your gaze on Jesus. Change your focus, fix your eyes on Jesus, and keep the rest of the world in your periphery, and He will make your path straight.
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