Weekly Reading - Our Race
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne
of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
(Hebrews 12:1-3)
(Hebrews 12:1-3)
We all go through hardships, we all get to that point when we feel that enough is enough and we are so tired that we feel as if we could not take anymore. I find that the more I focus on the problem, the trial, the more stressed I become and the more I feel that there is no end in sight. I become so focused on the issue, whether it be sin or a problem I'm trying to solve, that eventually I find myself completely lost with no hope.
If you watch athletes you will notice that when runniing a race they concentrate so completely on the finish line, they seem to be in a complete world of thier own. When I was at school and we had to do athletics I remember our coach always saying, "Keep your eyes fixed on the target (the finish line), pay no attention to the runner next to you or what the crowds may be cheering just completely focus on that finish line"
Thats what we should be doing in our christian walk, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, our finish line, our prize. We know that we have to face trials, Jesus told us that it wouldn't be easy but He also gave us the encouragement to persevere in this race that He has already ultimately won for us.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
If we as christians can keep our eyes completely focused on Him, fix our eyes on His glorious face, and run with perseverance, knowing what awaits us, we so easily find that all these distractions, fears and worries would dissappear. The best words I can use are those of a Hymn we sang at church when I was quite young, even so I remember these words like it was yesterday,
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."
And isn't it so true, how everything else fades, when we turn and fully focus on Him. He is always with us, having gone before us and laid even the path for us, enduring even the cross, so that at the end of that race we may know that He is waiting for us with arms wide open to recieve us into His kingdom. Now with such a prize, let us run all the more, but never forgetting to keep our eyes focused on Him.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:3-9)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:3-9)
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Beware you are not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.
John Wesley
