Running the race is more than just a cliche.

And, in fact, it CAN’T be a cliche.  

Because a race … is a grind.

In a race, you are challenged in every way.

Remember this.

Because if you are looking for easy … or slow … or without struggle … then you are not looking for a race.

Hebrews 12 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

My words are not meant to discourage.  Just the opposite.  They are meant to refocus us … to refine us … to help us to recalibrate.

What does God say?

He says to do at least three things in this passage:

  • Surround.  God tells us to surround ourselves.  With who?  With other believers.  But more than that—we want to be surrounded by, and filled up by, the Holy Spirit.  It is only in His power that we can run this race.
  • Fix.  God tells us to fix.  To fix our eyes on Jesus.  To stand with Him.  To not back down.  And to let our life be not just about what we are doing, but to make it about what He did, and wants to continue to do, through us.
  • Consider.  God wants us to consider, when the race is hard, Jesus.  He stood before evil men and still focused on the prize.  His prize?  The absolute decimation of Satan, sin, and death—so that WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE.  And in one breath He defeated them all.  How hard it must have been to stay nailed to that cross and carry out that mission.  Yet He did.  And because of Him the portals of Hell are closed and the portals of Heaven are OPEN for those who might want to follow Him.

Run the race today.

Run it with clarity and vision and strength.

Run it with gratitude for God.

And run it without apology.

For you see, at just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.

He died for you.

Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In The Name of the Father and the 

Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Coach J