The Unwavering Gaze: How to Follow Christ Beyond the Trap of Distraction
In the high-stakes world of Olympic swimming, victory isn't just about strength or stamina; it’s about alignment. If you look at the bottom of any professional lap pool, you will see a thick, painted line stretching from one end to the other. That line isn't decorative. It serves a vital purpose: it allows the swimmer to keep their gaze fixed straight ahead, ensuring their body remains perfectly aligned with the goal.
The moment a swimmer turns their head to see where the competition is—to check if they are winning or losing—the flow of water around their body changes. Resistance increases, their path veers, and they begin to slow down.
This serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. The cares of this world constantly tempt us to look away from our goal. However, the call of Jesus remains the same as it was to the Apostle Peter on the shores of Galilee: "You follow me".
The Constant Threat of Spiritual Backsliding
We often think of following Jesus as a one-time decision, but the reality is that the path of faithfulness is paved with potential distractions. Even after we have encountered the resurrected Christ, it is remarkably easy to veer off course.
Becoming a Christian does not grant immediate perfection. While believers are new creations, freed from the penalty of sin and declared righteous by God, they are not yet completely freed from the power of sin in their daily walk. This remaining sin manifests as a tendency to take our eyes off Jesus and look elsewhere.
We find ourselves looking in several dangerous directions:
The Past: We fixate on our failures, how we’ve mistreated our families, or how we’ve prioritized our comfort over the Gospel.
Current Circumstances: We dwell on medical issues, annoying coworkers, or the leaky faucets that we can’t seem to fix rather than the glory of Christ.
The Competition: We look at others and begin to compare our journey to theirs, wishing we were in their shoes instead of our own.
In John 21:20-25, we see this struggle play out in the life of Peter, providing us with three essential pillars for maintaining an unwavering gaze on Christ.
Pillar 1: Remember That He Loved Us First
When we look at the text, we see Peter turn and notice another disciple following them. John, the author of the Gospel, describes himself here—as he does throughout the book—as "the disciple whom Jesus loved".
This is a profound lesson in identity. When asked who they are, most people define themselves by their actions or their roles: "I am a teacher," "I am a father," or even "I am a Christ-follower". While these may be true, they focus on what we have done.
Identity Based on Affection, Not Performance
John’s primary identity was not rooted in his own faithfulness, his theological knowledge, or his decision to follow Jesus. Instead, he identified himself by the affection Christ had for him.
Following is a Result, Not a Condition: We do not follow Jesus to earn His love; we follow Him because He first loved us. As 1 John 4:19 states, "We love because he first loved us".
Grace-Based Power: Our willpower is insufficient to sustain a life of holiness. The power to follow is anchored in the love of Christ, which led Him to the cross to purchase our freedom.
The Gift of Faith: Even the act of faith itself is a gift from God, not a result of our works, so that no one can boast.
By remembering that we are "the ones whom Jesus loved," we are freed from the pressure to perform for God's approval. Our seat at the table is established by His work, not our own.
Pillar 2: Run Your Assigned Race
Immediately after Jesus gives Peter the command to "Follow me," the text notes that "Peter turned". The speed of Peter's distraction is a mirror for our own lives. He looks at John and asks a question that many of us whisper in our hearts: "Lord, what about this man?".
Peter had just been told a difficult truth—that his path would eventually lead to martyrdom. In the face of this "hard, uncomfortable truth," Peter immediately looked for a point of comparison. He wanted to know if John would have it easier or if he would suffer the same fate.
The Danger of Comparison
Jesus’ response was a direct and loving rebuke: "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me".
Comparison is a thief that drives us off the "straight line" of the pool in two specific ways:
Jealousy and Resentment: When we see others with "better" lives, nicer cars, or more successful ministries, we feel cheated. Social media exacerbates this by showing us everyone else’s "best life".
Superiority and Isolation: When we see others struggling more than we are, we can fall into the trap of the Pharisee, thanking God that we aren't like "those people". This superiority leads to isolation.
A Custom-Made Calling
Jesus highlights the extreme differences in the paths He had for Peter and John—crucifixion for one, and a long life for the other—to prove that every believer has a custom-made calling.
God handpicked your place in history. He crafted your story, including your unique blessings and your specific hardships, to glorify Him in a way that only you can.
Don't fit your life into someone else's assignment..
Steward what you have instead of stressing about what you don't..
Trust the Designer. Whether your road leads to a "cross" or a "tropical island" (as John’s did on Patmos), the same Lord and the same love are guiding the journey.
This principle applies not just to individuals but to families and churches as well. Every church has a unique story that isn't the same as the church down the street. The goal is collective faithfulness to where Jesus has placed us today.
Pillar 3: Rest in His Sufficiency
The Gospel of John concludes with a fascinating hyperbole: if everything Jesus did were written down, the world itself could not contain the books. This isn't just a poetic ending; it is a declaration of the sufficiency of Christ.
The Sufficiency of Scripture
John was selective about what he wrote. He didn't tell us everything, but he told us enough. The Bible acts as that straight line on the bottom of the pool, guiding us into the arms of our Savior.
We do not need external authorities, celebrity speakers, or modern miracles to validate God's Word. The Bible is our final authority because it authenticates itself through the internal testimony of the Spirit. As we read, the Spirit persuades our hearts that we are hearing the voice of the Shepherd.
The Sufficiency of Redemption
Because Christ’s work is complete, we can find true rest.
Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live.
He bore the punishment for sin that we deserved.
He rose in victory and ascended into heaven.
We are not lacking anything we need to follow Him. We don’t need to look to the left for more happiness or the right for more satisfaction. Jesus is enough.
Conclusion: Stop Looking Around
If you find yourself sinking under the weight of comparison or drifting into the "well of the world," the remedy is simple: fix your gaze back on the line.
Jesus is in front of you, not behind you. He is leading you on a journey that He has specifically designed for your good and His glory. Whether you are facing a medical diagnosis, an empty bank account, or a season of quiet blessing, His grace is sufficient.
Stop asking "What about them?" and start listening to the Shepherd who says, "You follow me".
Reflection Points:
Identity: Do you define yourself by your performance or as "one whom Jesus loves"?
Comparison: Where are you tempted to feel resentment or superiority based on someone else's "race"?
Sufficiency: Are you resting in the finished work of Christ, or are you still trying to "earn" a seat at the table?