Some states have now made it illegal to send text messages over a cell phone while driving. It is probably a very good idea to have your eyes on the road whether operating a vehicle or walking a trail that may have obstacles, turns, and cracks which make for dangerous travel.

I’ve also noticed that driving in a city like Baltimore means that you really need to keep your eyes on the road, watching for pedestrians and vehicles whose destination seems more important than anyone else’s. Attentive driving and keeping the gaze directly before you can be good preventative medicine, saving you and others.

What does it mean to let your eyes look straight ahead, to fix your gaze directly before you? The Bible also encourages 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 12:2). The invitation Jesus extends is, “Come, Follow Me.” That requires intentionality, self-sacrifice, and careful focus.

A level path comes by taking up the cross to follow Him, keeping our eyes upon the one who declared Himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) If we know there is evil to the right or left, let us keep our eyes on the road. Jesus also put it this way, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Lord, help us to set our hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and set our minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2).