Run The Race: Endurance
Monday, February 19
Run The Race: Endurance
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
The Christian journey is often compared to a race and in this race, success is not determined by how fast one starts, but rather by how you finish. The Book of Hebrews was written to a group of confessing Christians who were tempted to ditch their faith in Jesus due to persecution and return to the relatively safe haven of traditional Judaism. So, throughout the book, the author proclaims the superiority of Jesus, in His Person and Work. Chapter 11, the one preceding this one, comprises “The Hall of Faith” of those who walked with God by faith through various trials. It is in that context, then, that the author encourages all of us who are following Jesus. Hebrews 12:1 says ‘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.’ Our race is not a short sprint. It’s a long-distance race that requires commitment, stamina and perseverance.
‘Let us run with endurance’. To endure means to persevere. In other words, there is no “short cut”; no “sprint” to the Christian life. You have to spend time and keep at it for a length of time. That means:
— getting up and having your quiet time in the morning when you don’t feel like it.
— it means keeping at the ministry God has given you, even when you don’t see it bearing fruit.
— it means continuing to follow The Lord, even when people have hurt you, or oppose you. You don’t let them discourage you and make you stop. You just keep on — sometimes with “baby steps” if necessary, to keep on going.
This is a good word – run with endurance. It’s the same word used by Jesus when He endured the cross (1 Peter 2:21). Nothing turned Him back – He never lost sight of the goal. We run in the steps of Jesus. It will involve opposition and even suffering.
The race isn’t run for applause or reward, but for Christ alone. Love for Him keeps us in the race.