RUN WITH PATIENT ENDURANCE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)
Theme: When we stay the course in obedience and faith like many before us, we can run our own race with patient endurance.
RACE ANALOGY
Race analogies are my favorite because running a race is hard, worth it, and something I do regularly. Recently I ran the Hot Chocolate 5K in Charlotte with some friends. We picked it because the swag was cute, and we got a bowl of dippable treats with a mug of hot chocolate at the finish line. This was not a competitive race: it was a “finishers’ race.”
The five of us started together in the same corral “D” because that’s where walkers were allowed but we all agreed to run our own race and meet up at the end. There were 2,500 runners in the 5K, a great crowd. We “laid aside every weight” and only carried things like Chapstick, a key, a phone and earbuds. Before we started, I had some anxiety about getting lost on the course. I get turned around easily, especially in the city and I don’t spend much time in Uptown Charlotte. Yet, “since we were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” heading on the right path to the finish line, I never had to wonder which way to turn.
STAY THE COURSE
There was nothing compelling any runner to stay on the course. There were signs and police officers protecting runners from traffic, directing cars safely, water stations for hydration, and cones to show us the part of the road allotted to us. Yet the reason the runners stayed on the course was the desire to successfully complete the race, not win. With 2,500 of us running, we knew only three could possibly place. Yet, we paid a price to compete and ran (or walked briskly) with patient endurance all the way to the finish line.
RUN YOUR RACE
You might not like walking or running, especially not at 7:30 AM in February. However, we all sense the way life speeds by and creeps slowly, depending on the day. Sometimes we are exhausted and want to quit. Other times we scuttle quickly along with energy and enthusiasm to spare. If you don’t follow Jesus, it’s just a rat race, pointless to a dead end. If you follow Jesus – this life is your race. You can expect a better prize than hot chocolate and a hoodie at the finish. You don’t run to win; you run to endure and reach the finish line along with the “great cloud of witnesses” before you. You can do it! Throw off the dead weight. Let go of that clingy sin. Run with patient endurance in the company of your compassionate Savior and friend, Jesus.
Make It Personal: Who do you know who runs their race well and has remained faithful over time? Consider praying for those in your sphere who have been part of the great cloud of witnesses before you. Consider thanking them with a text or handwritten note this week. Pray that God will provide the means for you to run with patient endurance the race set before you.
Pray: Dear God, “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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Amen. (Hebrews 12:1-3, NLT)
You may also enjoy reading this in the Message version: Hebrews 12:1-3
Read: 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Psalm 16:4-5
Weekly Memory Verse: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1, ESV