The Race You Run

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2 (NASB95)

First Corinthians 2:14 tells us that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. He can’t understand them. That’s why if you choose to follow Jesus the world is going to call you the foolish one, when in fact a world without Christ is the embodiment of foolishness. Sometimes that’s hard isn’t it? If you’re outspoken about your Savior in the workplace, you’re pigeonholed as a fanatic. If you take a stand against sexual immorality you’re labeled an intolerant bigot. If you choose not to believe the lie that the American dream means you have to work more, make more and spend more in selfish pursuits, then the world thinks you’re a loser. After all, the world believes that only a fool would choose a life of sacrifice.

Yes, it’s hard. The race you run in Christ’s name is a full-contact marathon and with each stride you take sometimes it seems as though you’re running against a headwind of cultural change. But that’s okay. It’s okay because your prize is Christ. A believer’s prize is not in fleshly pursuits or worldly accomplishments. Praise God the author of Hebrews knew this and provided three strategies to help us endure the rigors of the race.

Strategy Number One – Reject the things that are bad for you.
Hebrews 12:1b …let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.

Simply stated, marathoners can’t just put anything and everything that tastes good into their bodies. If they do, very soon extra body weight will “encumber” them from running the race well. The same is true for the race you run. You can’t just put anything the world has to offer into your spirit. Maybe it’s something as simple as spending too much time sitting in front of the television. Maybe it’s something more serious, like an addiction you’ve been hiding. Whatever the case, God wants you to stop putting the things into your spirit that hinder your walk with Him.

Strategy Number Two  – Develop stamina and endurance.
Hebrews 12:1c . . . “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . .”

Any athlete will tell you that in order to develop stamina and endurance one has to exercise the body. If you need spiritual stamina and endurance, you’re going to have to exercise your faith. James 1:22 tells us that we must prove ourselves doers of the Word and not merely hearers. How often are you sharing Christ with others? How often are you bringing a neighbor with you to church? How often are you reaching out to the afflicted and poor in your community? You see, doing these things amounts to exercising your faith. The more you exercise. The stronger you get. The stronger you get, the better you become at the race.

Strategy Number Three – Visualize the finish line.
Hebrews 12:2 “ . . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

If we’re going to finish this race, then we have to keep our eyes forward and visualize the finish line. The best method for doing that is through worship. You see, worshipping God always brings us back to the cross and the one who hung there for us. When we’re looking in that direction our eyes will always be on the finish line. Your eyes will be on your reward. Your eyes will be on Christ.

Scripture to claim:
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9 (NASB95)