“…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.”
Reflection
Jesus endured the cross—not because it was easy, and not because the suffering wasn’t terrible—but because of the joy set before Him. That joy wasn’t simply returning to heaven; it was the joy of redeeming us, of restoring us to relationship with God.
Joy gave Him endurance. Joy made Him unshakable in the face of shame, pain, and betrayal. Joy fueled His obedience to the very end.
Your purpose will face challenges, too. There will be seasons of difficulty, disappointment, and fatigue. But remember—Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith. He experienced the challenges and designed a story just for you. Knowing that God has a plan beyond the difficulty gives us the drive to move forward with joy.
The question isn’t whether it will be hard—it’s whether you’ll keep going with your eyes fixed on the joy ahead.
When you know the “why,” you can endure the “how.” And when your “why” is rooted in God’s love and the good He’s bringing through you, you can finish—not just faithfully, but joyfully.
Centering Prayer
Jesus…
Fix my eyes on the joy You have set before me.
When the road is hard, help me remember the reason I began.
Give me strength to follow You. Amen.
Practice for Today
Identify one difficult task or season you’re in. Write down the joy or purpose on the other side, and keep it in view.
Journaling Prompt
What “joy set before me” has God given that can keep me moving forward?
How has focusing on that joy helped me endure in the past?
Closing Blessing
Lift your eyes.
See the joy that waits beyond the challenge.
Run with perseverance.
Finish your race with the same joy that carried Jesus to the end.
Pray as You Go
Breathe in: Even in my challenges…
Breathe out: …let me feel Your joy.
Very much what I needed today! Thank-you!