This is the last week of regular season play for my college softball career as Saturday is Senior Day. It is easy to get caught up in the memories, emotions, and everyday battles that consume a softball player, and a Christian for that matter, on a daily basis. I can choose to look at the hard times, the practices that made me cry out in frustration, the blood, sweat, and tears of the game, or the victories that I have experienced over the years.

It is interesting how many people will pat you on the back and say, “Job well done. I’m proud of you.” Sometimes those words, that should be comforting, tend to sting a little. Oftentimes we look at our failures, our mistakes, our shortcomings, and think, “If you only knew how many times I’ve messed up, you wouldn’t say that.” We think, “I wish things would have ended different, I’m not happy with my results. They could always be better.” This kind of self-criticism can get us into a lot of trouble. Those negative thoughts create more negative thoughts, until we find ourselves swimming in an ocean of doubt. It’s at that moment that we have to check our focus.

Jesus knew His day was coming. The day when the His three years of ministry, miracles and pouring into his disciples would take a turn down a different path. His disciples didn’t understand what He was saying or where He was going. They only knew He was leaving. Jesus took this as an opportunity to prepare them for the future.

He would have had every right to take this time to think about all the negative things surrounding His situation. The fact that He was to be crucified and could not be more innocent, the physical pain He was about to face, and the humiliation He was about to endure. But He checked His focus. He looked at His disciples and reminded them that they would have to carry out His mission, spreading the word about His glory and the price He was about to pay. They were confused, afraid, and worried about what was to happen to their beloved leader. But Jesus said to them, “Take heart!”

He checked His focus. Rather than focusing on the negative, Jesus used His final hours to pray and encourage His disciples. That was a very humble step. How are you using your final days? Check your focus.