Getting Your Racing Shoes On
The runner is breathless at the end of the race, but very satisfied to have made the grade and completed the run to the end of the course. There is a great sense of accomplishment to take on a task and see it to the end, no matter what the obstacles.
Hebrews talks about our lives being a race:
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Typically, running a race requires preparation. It is very difficult to run a strong race if a person hasn’t trained for it. This Scripture verse reminds us to remove the things that weigh us down so we can better navigate the race. For each of us, that is something different.
To run a good race takes time and sacrifice. For example, you can’t spend hours watching TV and not practicing running and expect to have any kind of stamina to run a race. We have to consider what consumes our time and re-evaluate our choices if we expect to run a strong race as we travel through life.
Something that helps us run a good race of any kind is to have supportive people running with us. The friends we choose in life make a huge impact on the endurance we have for life’s journey. It is challenging to be successful if those close to us are the ones who are holding us back. Again, it is important to take stock of our relationship choices as well as our time choices.
The race of faith is not one where we ourselves mark out the course. God has set the path and we must look to Him for direction. The world might tell us that there are many ways to the same goal of heaven, but that is not the case. Scripture is clear that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
While we are doing our best to persevere through the race, we need to remember that our strength and endurance do not come from within, but by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Where we fall down and have challenges is when we think it is our own efforts that bring a successful conclusion.
Finally, it is imperative that we remember that the race God has set before us, is not a competition. We are all God’s children, equal in His eyes. While we should seek to serve Him all our days, we are not trying to outdo others with the hopes of a better place in eternity. Rather, we should be doing our utmost to ensure that all know about Jesus and His saving grace and that all complete the race to a life of eternity with Him.
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