Today’s Reading: Hebrews 12:1-5; Psalm 22

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 trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

RUN THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE.

I love the word ENDURANCE. When I hear it, I think of courage and strength even in the most difficult of situations. I think of a determination to not give up but to finish strong. And what does a runner do if they want to run their fastest and cross the finish line? They take off everything that could possibly weigh them down. Even if it is not against the rules, even if others are doing it successfully, if it is inhibiting my pace, I must shed it. Even if it is not listed in the ten commandments, even if there is not a bible verse that strongly prohibits it, I must avoid it if the Holy Spirit is warning me of its unhealthy affect on my life.

What is God telling you to strip away because it is slowing you down? Perhaps it is a relationship or a job; maybe it is a hobby or even an unhealthy habit. What if there is something I am putting in my body that is compromising my health, limiting my availability to the many ways in which God wants to use me today. Or maybe it is my earthly possessions that have distracted me from God’s call on my life. The writer of Hebrews has great advice for how to run this race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. – Hebrews 12:2a

IF IT SLOWS YOU DOWN OR TRIPS YOU UP, GET RID OF IT!

We need to get rid of everything that is distracting us from our purpose in life and focus our eyes fully on Jesus. Get rid of that which is slowing you down and the sin that is tripping you up! Consider all that Jesus suffered on the cross so that you do not have to live a life of struggle against sin. Consider the victory our Champion displayed when he conquered death and rose from the grave. Jesus, who initiated our faith, wants to perfect our faith.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

Let’s consider again the crowd of witnesses the writer of Hebrews is referring to, and all that they shed in order to give their lives fully to God.
Abel intentionally gave the best of his harvest to God.
Enoch lived a life that pleased the Lord.
Noah received a righteousness that comes by faith.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob placed their faith in the inheritance that God promised them.
Sarah believed God would keep His promise.
Joseph believed that God would rescue His people from Egypt.
Moses kept his eyes on the One who is invisible.
The people of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, and marched around Jericho until God caused the walls of the city to fall.
Rahab hid the spies, and then spent the rest of her life living among God’s people.
Gideon reduced his army so that God would get the glory.
David trusted in God, stepping into his royal calling.
Daniel kept his allegiance to God and the mouths of lions were closed.

Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced. – Psalm 22:4-5

If they can do it, so can you. If God was faithful in their life, He will be faithful in yours. If God sets your feet on a path that requires faith, run with endurance the race marked out for you! Ask the Spirit to reveal if there is anything in your life that is slowing down your growth or keeping you from being fully focused on Jesus — the Champion of your faith!

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 trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. – Hebrews 12:1