"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
When I was in high school I was on the track team. Our school would compete against other schools in various events, including different running events, during regular track meets. I usually ran the one and two mile races, but one time the coach had me run the quarter mile race. Although I did not finish last in that race it was not my best race; I had a hard time running the right pace because I was used to running longer distances. I was so used to running a certain way that when I had to change I struggled, this is similar to the kind of spiritual problem that a lot of Christians are having today.
Many people are so used to doing things at a fast pace that they have a hard time doing something that takes a longer amount of time. This kind of thing is often seen around the New Year when people make all kinds of resolutions with good intentions and a lot of zeal. However, after a month or two, and possibly even after only a few weeks, when things don't happen as fast as they had hoped people give up and don't pursue that resolution any more. It is not that what they wanted to do was wrong but they expected something to happen quicker than it did, and that is where the problem is.
The Christian life is compared to a race, but it is more like a marathon than a 100 meter dash because our race for God happens over the course of our entire life. In Hebrews 12:1 we are told to run our race with endurance; we have to be consistent and persistent with the right attitude, moving forward no matter how fast or slow things seem to go. We keep on going, staying focused on what the Bible says about our life and knowing that God by the Holy Spirit will help us and direct us in the things we are doing. That is how we run our race with endurance and finish the race with success!
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
When I was in high school I was on the track team. Our school would compete against other schools in various events, including different running events, during regular track meets. I usually ran the one and two mile races, but one time the coach had me run the quarter mile race. Although I did not finish last in that race it was not my best race; I had a hard time running the right pace because I was used to running longer distances. I was so used to running a certain way that when I had to change I struggled, this is similar to the kind of spiritual problem that a lot of Christians are having today.
Many people are so used to doing things at a fast pace that they have a hard time doing something that takes a longer amount of time. This kind of thing is often seen around the New Year when people make all kinds of resolutions with good intentions and a lot of zeal. However, after a month or two, and possibly even after only a few weeks, when things don't happen as fast as they had hoped people give up and don't pursue that resolution any more. It is not that what they wanted to do was wrong but they expected something to happen quicker than it did, and that is where the problem is.
The Christian life is compared to a race, but it is more like a marathon than a 100 meter dash because our race for God happens over the course of our entire life. In Hebrews 12:1 we are told to run our race with endurance; we have to be consistent and persistent with the right attitude, moving forward no matter how fast or slow things seem to go. We keep on going, staying focused on what the Bible says about our life and knowing that God by the Holy Spirit will help us and direct us in the things we are doing. That is how we run our race with endurance and finish the race with success!
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