“Run the race…” Hebrews 12:1

 

We all run. We run around. We run in circles. We run away and we run out of steam. But God calls us all to be dedicated to a different kind of race, the ultra marathon race of our life. The author of the book of Hebrews speaks about running the right race, and how to run it and finish well:

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” (12:1) We aren’t called to just any race. We are called to the ultimate race, whose prize lasts for all eternity, the one surrounded by “such a great cloud of witnesses.” Whenever we see the word ‘therefore’ we can be sure it is there for a reason, namely to link what was just said to what is about to be said. What precedes this passage about a great cloud of witnesses is the discussion of heroes commended for their faith. These were imperfect and ordinary people who had faith in and were redeemed by an extraordinary God. Still, “none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Whether these and other saints are actually spectators cheering us on or not, I’m not sure. But evidently we are part of a historic relay race of faith that brings theirs to perfection. (11:39-40)

 

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles… You’ll never see Olympic runners competing in their business suits or evening gowns. That would trip them up and impede their race. Similarly, we are advised to daily throw off that which hinders us from running with faith. Things like irrational fear, worldly opinions of success, even the pain and sorrow that weighs so heavily on us. We must cast our heaviest anxieties on Jesus so we can run the race.

 

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” Sometimes the grace of God is the power to keep running with persistent faith. Trials are huge hurdles in our lives, but not unscalable barriers. Faith runners know to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. We aren’t to be distracted or let the ‘stuff’ of life to throw us off our pace.

 

“…the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” We can run with faith and persistence, trusting in the one who not only has gone victoriously before us but who also lives in us. Because of the joy set before him, He endured the cross and ascended to heaven, so we would not grow weary and lose heart. (V3)

 

Run the race that matters today, unhindered and with perseverance. You can do it. Others are counting on you.