I think, in a sense, one of the biggest problems with Christians is prejudice. The apostle Paul speaks about casting down strongholds in people’s minds. Well, I think the most characteristic word to describe those strongholds is prejudice. People have their minds made up, and they simply cannot hear what God is wanting to say. The truth cannot get past those fortresses that have been built up in their minds. When I look back on my own mistakes and try to learn from them, this is the conclusion I have come to. It wasn’t so much that my understanding was incorrect as that it was incomplete. That wouldn’t have mattered until I began to act as if it was complete. That’s when I got into trouble. There is not one of us who has a complete understanding of all that God wants to say to us. Do not close your mind off and say, “I’ve nothing more to learn.” Those who say this are the only people who cannot learn.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the amazing example You have set for us. You were able to look beyond Your suffering at Calvary, fixing Your gaze on the joy of what Your agony was accomplishing. Lord, I want to follow Your example. Instead of being distracted by the obstacles in front of me, many of which are petty and selfish, I want to look beyond. Please enable me to place my focus upon You and Your plans for my life. Help me, Jesus, to lay aside every encumbrance. You taught us to set our gaze upon our greater destiny. You taught us to look past the roadblocks to see the bigger picture of Your purpose and calling. Lord Jesus, I will follow Your lead in this matter. For the sake of Your higher plans for me—the joy set before me—I will look beyond the barrier.