by David Brenneman
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
Are you spiritually lethargic? Is your soul sapped of energy?
Perhaps you would love to know God better and grow in godliness, but your progress is slow at best. You don't understand it because you're not slacking-you read the Bible and pray every day. The spiritual momentum just isn't there. What's going on?
Today's verse provides a clue. Many believers are weighed down
with excess baggage burdens like anger, pride, bitterness, lust, greed, jealousy, and unforgiveness, to name a few. Any sin we entertain will drain us of our spiritual energy and kill our progress in the Christian life.
God stands ready to supply His power and wisdom once you
realize you must rid your heart of these entanglements to receive
His strength. If the Holy Spirit is convicting you of some area of sin
in your life, do not ignore Him. You won't be able to run the race the Lord has for you until you obey Him. Throw off the encumbrances through confession and repentance. Then enjoy the race as
He energizes your spiritual life and teaches you to soar.
Jesus, reveal every sin in me so I may repent and walk in Your will, Amen
-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley
Ever stop to realize that after you came to Christ for salvation, that you were automatically entered into a race?
You weren't eligible for the race set before you until Jesus became the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life but after He had you were then in the race.
You probably didn't figure on running in one but here we are.
There's things about running a race that aren't going to be found on golf courses or baseball fields. While Paul's writings often suggested other sports that existed even in his day...both he and the writer of Hebrews point to the race set before us.
There's the conditioning. The needed nutrition. The required rest. The focus on the kind and type of path the race is on. The preparation for the various challenges of the race. The weather during the race. Preparing for endurance. I actually learned a lot about racing from the movie "Overcomer" when Hannah's Dad, through a recording, coached her through the championship race. What she should expect. What struggles she would need to surmount. When to burst ahead and when to hold back.
Another great source is a book by my friend Steve Crisafulli called "My Godly Marathon" available on Amazon and Barnes & Knoble.
We aren't given a choice about running this race set before us. Consider what that passage we opened up with said.
God set that race before you and I.
God's using this race to tune our lives towards His purposes for us.
In keeping with the movies...the original Karate Kid. Daniel had no clue, until he was shown, what his chores were really accomplishing.
Most of us just don't see or understand what we are going through is or means. We need to be in the Word of God and in prayer to get our instructions much as Hannah did from her Dad.
Most of us miss the whole point of thinking like we're in this race in order to become more like Jesus Christ.
Nobody who goes and enlists is the same person after basic training as they were before starting it.
We are in this race set before us and as it is God given we should honor it as such.
We should use what He's saying in His Word to shape our part of this race.
This race, however, isn't a competition between us and other Believers. We are running this race with Jesus.
A very old Jewish saying is "May you be covered in the dust of your Master" in terms of becoming a Disciple. We run along side and often right behind Jesus. Going where He goes, following in His footsteps. At His pace.
We are never to be trying to be in competition with other Believers. We are all part of the same body of Christ. We all have a part in that body as given by the Spirit of God to be doing.
Are you spiritually lethargic or are you at least moving? Have you lost sight of Jesus and need to get back in the race?
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
You have to get back to God's plan for you. This race is part of God's plan for you.
It's not nor has it ever been for you to get all you can get out of this world for you.
It's not about us but all about Him.
We do ourselves a great disservice by getting our life's priorities wrong in Christ.
So while you're now realizing you are in this Godly race...realize that the core ingredients are there for your benefit not your detriment. It's never a good thing or good idea to focus on what you might have lost or are going to lose. Focus on what is good, right and pure in Christ. The Author and perfecter of your faith.
Core ingredients are prayer and the Word of God. You cannot mentally prepare for to have the right mental state without the right mindset.
Realize as well the rules are different in this spiritual race.
Another movie analogy is Neo and Morpheous in the training dojo..."hmm you think that is air that you're breathing?". We learn in prayer and in God's Word of the reality of the spiritual world that our race is set in.
Then know this: As you are in this with the Lord...keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your priorities straight. Keep the right attitude in prayer. Let go of sins that easily entangle us. Get rid of the weights that the world wants to put on your back.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24
Keep your focus on the Lord and the finish line that He's established.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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