Run that Race!

"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


Mom and I ran our second 5K yesterday. It was extremely hot and very humid. In the first 5 minutes, Mom got these horrible cramps in her shins. I could look down at her legs and see what looked like two rocks sticking up just beneath her knees where her muscles were spasming. But she pushed through the pain and was able to share Jesus-love with each of the volunteers we passed along the way. She pushed herself until the intense pain in her legs settled into a dull ache and then, finally, were no longer bothersome. She finished with her head held high and a song of praise on her lips! I am so proud of her determination, even when it was obvious that she was in pain and struggling.

Many times in our Christian walks, we experience pain and trials. Our first reaction is to quit. It just hurts too much. It's just too hard. But the writer of Hebrews offers us encouragement to take with us when the race becomes too difficult and we feel like giving up. Chapter 11 of Hebrews is sometimes referred to as the Hall of Faith. In it, the writer reminds us of men and women who have faced trials before us and were able to persevere because of the Lord. These are the people that are being described as a great cloud of witnesses. These men and women of great faith are our heavenly cheerleaders.

"Go, Casey, Go!"
"You can do it! Trust in Jesus! He gave me a child in my old age."
"God is faithful! He sent the rains and my boat no longer seemed silly."
"It's not impossible...God is with you! We crossed the Red Sea on dry land."

I can only imagine the shouts and cheers that are ringing through heaven as we battle the enemy and walk away victorious in the name of Jesus! Knowing that we have a cheering section can make it easier to push through when things become too much to bear. Sin is always lurking, tempting, waiting to entangle us. But we can shake that off. We must shake that off - so we can run the race that God has placed before us. We must decide in our heads to finish. We must be determined to push through what pain we face. If we do this, it will become easier and easier to think, not about the pain, but about the wonderful opportunity the trial has given us to share the love of Jesus with people who are witnessing our struggles.

I draw great encouragement from the words of Paul - "But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Forget the battles you've already faced. Reach for the glory that is ahead. Run the race so that, when you cross the finish line into heaven, you do it with a song of praise on your lips!