By Lorri Freeman
I have never been a runner, but I have always wished I were one. That thrill of pushing yourself and exerting yourself to a breaking point, and then having the rush of crossing the finish line to victory. A feeling of accomplishment and pride coursing through your veins.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “since we have such a large crowd of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.”
Well, that sounds easy enough. Just stop all the things that are hindering you and ignore the siren call of sins that are usually irresistible just because others are watching you who need Christ.
But it is not easy. It is not easy to stop negative thoughts in your head telling you that you are not enough or that the runner next to you is better. Maybe that nearby runner has an unfair advantage. So, how do you run the race of life with endurance?
You must read Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2 together. “… run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” You see, Jesus knows we cannot run the truly exhausting race of life on our own. He simply tells us to keep our eyes on Him while we run the race of life.
One of the devotions in my She Reads Truth Bible discusses this topic. It states, “In His terrible, awesome holiness, and in His sweet and refreshing encouragement, (Jesus) bids us to look to Him. What a gorgeous, blessed relief!”
We do not have to do it on our own. So many mornings or evenings you may feel that you cannot do it all, that you cannot win this race. You may feel that you will never be fast enough, a good enough parent, have a clean enough house, the best car, smartest kids, most impressive job or highest salary. As the devotion’s author states, “even the power of positive thinking is not sufficient alone.”
Stop and remember that Jesus is the source and perfecter of our faith. He has already won the race and now sits at the right hand of God. Start each day with Him. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Read His Word and seek His face daily.
“For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword… It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“Let the Word of Christ dwell richly among you.” Colossians 3:16
Keep your eyes on Jesus each day. Lift your concerns and struggles to Him in prayer. Allow His living and active Word to dwell in you richly, that you may live in His light. You do not have to live life within your own strength. Live life daily with Jesus.
Lord, help us to remember to start each day seeking your face through God’s Word and prayer. Let us lift our concerns, fears, struggles and praise to you, Lord. Let us commit scripture to our heart so that you can guide our steps as we run the race of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
