Run your race, stay in your lane, eternity with God is the finish line…
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.
Hebrews 12:1
1. Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses..
Who is this great cloud of witnesses? We are… We are surrounded by social media, the news, friends, family, and fellow believers. Lately it seems like everyone is trying to “out fact” one another, offer their own opinions, and even offering “too much information” (TMI). Yes, there is a thing as too much information…some things are meant to be between the Lord and yourself…and sometimes with a trusted, faithful counsel as well. All are looking around at each other, over their shoulders, ahead of them, next to them, and even in the mirror.
2. …let us lay aside every weight,,,
What weight? The weight of comparison, shame, hurt, unforgiveness…, the weight of what others are saying, texting, posting, sharing, doing, etc…
The weight of expectations God did not give you but the world/society pushes on you - if you let it. Simply put God wants you to live a life of righteousness…
The weight of self-esteem. Your self-esteem is founded in who God says you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
3. … and the sin which so easily ensnares us…
What sin? Sin. Sin that separates us from God. Sin that you let happen unintentionally and intentionally.
4. …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
RUN---do not walk, run. Why run? Because it is intentional, because it is forceful, because it has intensity, because it has purpose. We can walk around aimlessly, wandering but when you run it is purposeful.
The race set before us means our own individual race, with our own individual hurdles, hurts, triumphs, not anyone else’s.
Run looking unto Jesus. Focus on God. Focus on Jesus. Do not look to your left or to your right. Do not look at the witnesses. Look at your Creator. What is He saying to you? What does He want you to do or say? Seek Him daily. Pray without ceasing. Call on Him all day long, not as to-do item checklist for the day but as a requirement to get on with a glorious day.
5. … who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…
Joy and enduring the cross in the same phrase! Christ had joy. Christ had joy because he knew he was the finisher of our faith…. Yours and mine! He knew his God given purpose. This brought him joy. No one else could fulfill his purpose and he took joy in running his race! No one can fulfill your purpose either. Your race has your purpose for God.
6. …despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Shame associated with a crime he was accused of… turned on by the “cloud of witnesses”. Have you felt this shame? Betrayed by those you even loved. Christ has been there too. But it did not distract him from his purpose.
However, right now in eternity he sits at the right hand of the throne of God, having fulfilled his purpose for God’s glory and our salvation. God is on His throne! What more comfort can we need than knowing He is and will be reigning over our lives from beginning to end.
Pray: Father, I know that I am running the race you have placed before me. I trust you and have faith larger than a mustard seed. I run with you in me, Christ Jesus, ready to pray through all that we are facing today. Just as you fulfilled the promise for me, I, too, will run my race to put your purpose for my life first, to seek you first, and to further your kingdom. In your precious name, Amen.