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. - Hebrews 12:1
There are many people who start out strong with their faith and then their interest in living a sanctified life seems to fade away. I used to run a lot - a long time ago. 10K's and 8 mile runs. I remember there would be some in those runs who would take off like rabbits at the sound of the starting pistol. About 2 miles into the race, I would often see them walking or pulled on the side of the road. They had great intentions but did not finish well - if they finished at all.
I would run 5 miles a day and 10 miles on Saturdays to prepare for those "fun runs". My goal was to finish, not first, but doing the best that I could do. Keeping my eyes fixed on the finish line. I would fix my eyes on the next object down the road - not having the finish line in sight. Running my pace, settling in - breathing - in time with my feet pounding the road and as we used to say in the Army - "rocking steady". The preparation required sacrifice on my part. Blisters, shin splints, rain or shine, hot or cold. Setting time aside to run. With respect to our faith, if you don't discipline yourself, if you don't accept that running in the race of faith is going to require sacrifice, you may not finish well.
I remember running 2 miles during a PT test. As I ran the track I could see a friend of mine who had stopped running. He was one of those rabbits. We had to pass the PT test - it was part of our training. So I stopped and encouraged him to keep running at a slower pace. The evaluators told me to leave him and finish - I chose to finish with him. We both passed - but just barely. That low PT score did not hinder the plans the Lord had for me - but I believe I chose the higher ground that day. John 15:13 comes to mind.
What is it that is weighing you down? Preventing you from running well? What ever it is, you need to cast it off. Your old nature will push back. Human reasoning will step in and try to convince you that you must hang on to that something because you really need it. That only means that you are in a spiritual struggle. It is a battle for the devotion of your heart. As I told a friend, if you are not getting shot at, spiritually speaking, you are not in the battle or the race. You are merely a by-stander. My hope for me is that I can say with Paul at the end of my days on this earth.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
That is my hope for you as well!
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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