“On your mark! Get set! Go!”
Did you sense exhilaration as you read that?
You might have if you are a runner or have fond memories of childhood races! You are ‘on your mark’ at the common starting point. In anticipation of the release, you ‘get set.’ Then, you ‘go’ as the call to run is given! In this foot race, there may be obstacles to overcome and there are certainly obstacles to prevent: tripping, shoe issues, muscle cramps, dehydration, etc. You persevere and run in your best effort to win!
As we run the race of life, more a marathon than a sprint, all of us are at the common starting point of falling short of God’s glory. (In fact, we always fall short of God’s glory, although we sometimes like to think we are closer than others.) God desires us all to get our heart set for release from sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then, we are able go about each day in humble submission to Christ through the power of his Holy Spirit. As Paul encourages in 1 Corinthians 9:24, we run for the prize of eternal salvation in God’s glory!
“… 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NIV).
Verse one begins: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” The ‘therefore’ harkens to what is sometimes referred to as the Faith Hall of Fame, chapter 11. These champions of the faith, whom God blessed, held hope in the fulfilment of God’s promises. They are inspiring examples to us for staying committed to our faithful God.
When we run a race, we need to run unencumbered. Runners wear minimal clothing so as not to be restricted in their movements. As we run in faith, are we throwing off everything that negatively affects our relationship with God and the sin that so easily gets interwoven in our thoughts? If we want to be sincere and committed, we need to ask God to examine our heart and our mind (Psalm 26:2b, letter X in Do LAPS!), and then humbly accept what he exposes. The ‘throwing off’ will come when we repent and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us as we choose to honor the Lord. We cast aside our selfish desires to be filled with God’s desires.
Let’s keep running a good race and, as Paul warns in Galatians 5:9, not let anyone cut in on us to keep us from obeying the truth!
Check out how the Heart Training books can help you grow in godliness through the power of God’s Word!