Keeping your eyes on the prize
Maintaining focused on the things that we really want it can be challenging, especially in the things concerning God and the kingdom of heaven. When we want God to do something for us say a healing, a family deliverance, or a financial break through it requires steadfastness. Jesus mentioned this widow who needed justice to be done and therefore went to a judge and pleaded with him until he came to his senses and did as the widow plea, else he said that she would have worn out his patience (Lk18:5-7). As a matter of fact, Paul says that an athlete stays focus on his training until he is prepared to win the race (1Cor9:24-26). There is a reward for when one exerts and maintains him/herself focused on the prize. There are eternal prizes that are for all those who keep the faith and do not waiver. The bible tells us that if we believe in Christ, we have eternal life (Jh3:36), and that that is the prize for eternity to them who trust in the Lord.
2 Kings 2:9-10
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
Talking about distractions for the now, Elisha had a major one. Elijah was about to be removed from the earth he was not going to die God, was about to take him to heaven with him experiencing death. By the way there are only two figures in the bible who did not experience death who were taken to heaven, Elijah and Enock. Elisha did not want to leave Elijah out of his sight, so when Elijah told Elisha to stay when he was going to Bethel, Jerico or the Jordan he said no. There was this sense of missing out that Elisha was avoiding if Elijah would be taken out. He needed to receive everything that Elijah had for him, and he was not going to miss out. And what Elisha wanted was a double portion of his spirit. It was a difficult thing to ask for from Elijah, but the only way that Elisha could receive it was by maintaining his eye on him. Luke tells us in Hebrews that we need to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (he12:2).
Elisha wanted the power of God in his life he was not settling to be the side kick anymore if his master was being taken away. If we are going to be followers of Christ, then why not have the complete power of God in us? There is a power that is for every believer that because of distractions we are not accessing (Ac1:8, Mt10:1). Elisha’s distractions were supernatural, there was the whirlwind and the chariots of fire that could have easily cause him to not look unto Elijah, but he did not waiver.
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
1 Corinthians 9:24-26
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Acts 1:8
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Matthew 10:1
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.