Run your race....

Hebrews 12:1-3 - "Therefore, we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us & the sin that so easily entangles us & let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us." (NIV)

NLT - "....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 & perfects our faith."

MSG - "...it means we'd better get on it. Strip down, start running- and never quit! ..."

CEV - "...so we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go...."


Running has opened up a whole new world for me. I have run 5K's just for fun but this summer I started running as my afternoon workout. It has been a total body workout.....physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. As I stretch, set the timer on my watch and then set out for my run, every part of me has to be engaged. I chart out my course, set a goal for distance and endurance, play the tunes on my ipod and then run. My mind has to engage to push myself a little harder each time. I picture jumping in the pool at the end of the run.....pure satisfaction.

The verses in Hebrews compare life to running a race. A few key phrases catch my attention....
- throw off everything that hinders......throw off everything that slows us down.
What hinders me can be fear, insecurity, jealousy, envy, comparing, pride, anger, ect...
- the sin that so easily entangles us...the sin that trips us up....the sin that won't let go.
What sin trips me up every time and just won't seem to let me go? Addicted to self, pride, jealousy, envy, control, ect...
- let us run with perseverence...run with endurance.
Don't give up, keep running the race of faith. This is what I tell myself as I am running and wanting to quit because my body is screaming at me to quit. There are days when life can be so hard that you just want to give up....but don't give in to the struggle. It will be worth it.
- the race marked out for us.....the race God has set before us.
God has a race designed personally just for me. He knows what I am made of, He knows what I am capable of and He knows my potential. So as I run MY race I can know with confidence that if I keep my eyes on Jesus....the author, designer & perfector of my faith...He will not only lead me but he will be with me every step of the way until I cross the finish line. Instead of focusing on the twists & turns; the hurdles & detours I need to keep my eyes on Jesus who both began and finished the race I am in.

Runners wear non-binding clothing when they race. They don't wear anything that will hinder their performance or stop them from reaching their goal. They also run with patience because there are parts of the coarse that are challenging and less thrilling. Despite how they feel, they stay focused on the finish line.

I am running my race, I don't always like the coarse that I am on and I wish I could change directions but I am Trusting in the ONE who designed My race. He knows me best!

Are you running the race that God has set before you?

Do you think you could keep running if you had a pebble in your shoe?

Meet you on the coarse later....