Running Your Race!

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT - {1} Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. {2} We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.

As a young boy I used to play on the mountain that was right at our doorstep. My brother and I explored every niche and cranny and spent countless hours in those hills. There was also a road that traversed up the mountain that cars would once in awhile travel on. In the spring time the local track team would use the road as a training ground for building up their muscles and endurance. What was interesting was the fact that each of the runners would tie weights to their ankles to strengthen their legs and help to give them more endurance. They would do this for days on end until it was time for them to actually run in their track meets against other schools. Their training would allow them to run faster and longer and win many of the matches. In the same way – we are strip down every thing that is holding us back from moving forward with God – especially those sins that hinder our upward relationship with God. It is only then that we can run the race before us. Life is a lot like a race that will need endurance to win. It’s not how fast we come out of the gates but how we endure on a day by day basis. Depending on ourselves will only bring us to defeat but when we depend on Christ – He will see us to the end. So run your race with God at your side. Don’t forget the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Keep your eyes on Christ and don’t stop until you pass that finish line!