Tag Archives: Hebrews 12:1-3

Pain is real – So is hope

Leave a reply

Pain is real but so is hope.

 

CS Lewis astutely observed, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” We can’t ignore it. It tortures us and crushes us. In its greatest trials it blinds us to everything else. Physical pain. Emotional pain. The pain of feeling lost and alone and without purpose. To deny it and paste on a silly grin is a foolish facade that accomplishes nothing.

 

Pain is real.

But so is hope.

 

Hope clings to the reality that what we see is not what God sees. We think there is only pain, uselessness, a wasted life of no value to anyone. We sit beneath the magnificent quilt spread across the loom and all we see are the tattered edges and loose threads. Nothing makes sense. But He sees the picture from above, the one that is completed by our faithfulness. Speaking of the great men and women of faith who suffered greatly, the author of the book of Hebrews wrote: “These were all commended for their faith, yet 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.” (Hebrews 11:39-40) He continues,”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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

 

That’s the masterpiece that our pain can’t perceive. Only faith, your great hope, can catch a glimpse of the beauty that is yet to be revealed.

 

Your faithfulness is accomplishing far more than what you and I can imagine. It’s quite possible we won’t know until we get to heaven how God uses your faithfulness to work good in all situations for all who are called according to his purpose. I know it doesn’t seem like enough. I write this as my own pain screams at me. Hope doesn’t seem like enough. But it is enough. Jesus has his loving eyes on you and your pain right now. You are not forgotten, not alone.

 

All that counts and all that remains in the end, is faith expressing itself in love. (Galatians 5:6) And faith keeps reaching out. When there is no strength or when your invitations to help and encourage others are ignored, faith prays. And persevering prayer accomplishes as much as any deeds we do. Marcia and I were recently talking about her parents’ lives, how their last years seemed so empty and wasted. Without our family there would have been just a few to remember them. But is the goal to be remembered? Perhaps the real point of life ultimately to bear witness to the transformational power of God’s love in a way that it impacts the life of at least one other person, who in turn bears testimony that impacts another?  In that sense, your faith – expressing itself in love – continues to live on, long after your name is forgotten.

 

Whatever level of pain you endure right now, I pray that you will see the goodness of the Lord here in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). But even if that vision is clouded, there comes a time for all real believers when ALL his goodness will unfold in great abundance. We won’t be able to contain it.

 

That is our hope and it is as real as any pain that assaults us.

 

The rest of the story

Leave a reply

 

 

Sometimes the work of God in our lives is a mystery. In my journey through AML, I recall feeling that His grace did not dispel the pain. But it did give me assurance to bear it a little longer, one day or moment at a time with certainty that God’s Word remained true despite how I felt or experienced it.

 

What are we to say about the part of our story that is filled with seemingly hopeless and unbearable trials? Only that they add to a long history of faithful warriors fighting seemingly unbeatable odds. Our singular expectation is to stand firm in God’s protective armor, faithful and courageous, prayerful, and mindful of God’s blessings in the face of turmoil. Even so, the testimony of strong warriors and faithful servants have not always gained them access to the promises they sought. For example:

 

“There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet 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.” Hebrews 11:35b-40

 

The passage that follows points to US…and our leg of the faith relay which somehow completes theirs:

 

“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

 

So it seems that our journey of faith through all kinds of trials is necessarily linked to the completion of the race of the faith heroes of all history. You and Moses, Gideon, David. It seems that we are presently completing the chapters in the REST of the story that will be told in heaven for all time. Perhaps in ways unknown to us, our most difficult chapters of our story are also influencing the story of others who will be encouraged to press on and continue their race. It is evidence that Jesus’ suffering for us was not in vain, and that His grace continues to strengthen so we will not lose heart.

 

Live well, until you reach the end of . . . the rest of the story.

 

 

Run the race!

Leave a reply

 

“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.

 

 

No more hiding- run the race unhindered

Leave a reply

 

 

I remember playing hide and seek with our children. The older ones would try to find a decent hiding place in the house, while the youngest would hide somewhere obvious – like on the sofa, with their head under a pillow. They figured as long as they couldn’t see me, I couldn’t see them.

 

As adults we realize what a silly strategy that is – or do we? If you’ve ever caught yourself hiding a secret sin, a rebellious pattern of thought or behavior, you eventually come to realize how foolish the thought of hiding is. God looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7); nothing is hidden from Him. Here’s a sobering thought: No secrets will remain: “The Lord [will] bring to light the things hidden in the darkness.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)    Jesus said, “There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2)  Can you imagine a video of your secret life played out on the big screen for all to see? No shame  withheld; everything revealed.

And so the author of the book Hebrews begins chapter 12 with this beneficial advice:

“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.” If everything is going to be revealed and is already revealed in the heavenly realm, why try to hide our head under a cushion? Let’s throw it all off. The language here speaks to an athlete boldly throwing off his robes that would entangle him in the race, and run unhindered and with all his might.

We are to run our race – our life – in the same manner: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1b-3)

 

You CAN persevere during the tough times of your life because Jesus-in-you already persevered. And not only did Jesus-in-you persevere the trial but He endured it with the joy set before Him! Have you ever wondered, “What possible joy could be found in enduring the excruciatingly painful cross?” Friend, it was the joy of being reunited with His heavenly Father and of knowing that this act paid the price to bring you, and me, to God. It was the joy of knowing that this sacrificial act would bring you hope so that you would not grow weary in life and come to despair.

 

Jesus-in-you can run unhindered, honestly and without secrets, your eyes, fixed on Him, and with the joy set before you in this world and in the next.  Let’s put away the secrets and live with reckless abandon for Christ. Start today:

 

No more secrets. No more hiding.

 

 

Which Path?

3 Replies

imageSpeaking of choosing new paths for a healthier life (see yesterday’s post), my sister Jane sent this photo from her hike in the Franklin Mountains. The sign gives a choice between taking the “more difficult” path to the right, or the “most difficult” path to the left. Jane observes, “I am reminded that the ‘easy’ path is not always an option, but our choice (our response) determines just how difficult the road ahead will be.”

What are the paths you’ve chosen to renew your mind daily? This is key to having victory over circumstances. We all know that the path of denial doesn’t work, and that the power of positive thinking, while helpful, doesn’t take us the whole distance.

Our personal experience is that meditating on the Word of God and talking with Him frequently is the only way that has brought us true renewal. New ways of thinking and responding to our circumstances have to become habitual. Even then, there will be struggles. This last week has been increasingly challenging for me, even at home. More tired, I push hard to walk 1/4 of what I did in the hospital and 60 days of gastrointestinal distress is taking its toll.

But when we take our eyes off our problems and focus instead on Jesus, our problems don’t take control.

I can’t imagine going through this cancer experience without enjoying a personal relationship with a loving God and the power He gives for victorious living throughout the storms life brings.

Even if you don’t know God or aren’t sure He exists, He welcomes your fellowship. Tell Him exactly how you feel. (Guess what…He already knows!) Whatever your position right now, the path to a renewing relationship is right before you. Whether it is “more difficult” or “most difficult,” walking with God is the best path you could choose. Even if you have walked a thousand steps away from God, it is just one step back to His loving arms.

Make good choices today!

“I am the way, the turth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus, John 14:6

“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3