| Hebrews 12:1 – “…let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” |
My son and I recently ran a 5K together. He said, “when I get to the finish line, I’m going to be so happy and I’m going to run through as fast as I can!” And he FLEW through leaving me in the dust 😆This 5k wasn’t as flat or as easy as I wanted it to be. There were tears, times we had to rest, times we walked, and times we could run with ease. Isn’t life kind of that way? For me anyways… I want the finish line results with expending the least amount of effort, time, or energy possible.But there is a great purpose to the endurance and discipline needed to finish a race. This picture makes me think of Hebrews 12 ….And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith ….We fixed our eyes on crossing the finish line, we were set on that reward. We filled our minds with thoughts of the end result instead of the pain we were feeling. There is a joy set before us and our endurance and discipline is the path to that joy. Our muscles get stronger with each workout and we’re looking forward to our next run. Our faith grows stronger and is perfected in each difficulty, this is a great reward. So we run forward… committed with faith … and work to get rid of the thoughts, attitudes, and habits that hold us back.
2 Timothy 4:7-8″I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
– Martes Campbell
