I recently started a new fitness regime which I keep to most days. It’s nothing drastic, but I set off briskly and then add some jogging into the mix. It enables me to build up my fitness levels and gives me time and opportunity to listen to the Lord. This morning one of my favourite scriptures came to mind. “Set your hearts on things above…..set your minds on things above.” [1]
RUN THE RACE
Immediately, my heart responded wholeheartedly with words of gratitude and love for who He is and all that He is doing in my life, my family and friends, and within His Church. As I responded to Him something else came to mind. “Run the race set before you…” [2] My initial thought was, Lord, I am doing the best I can at the moment. But then I became aware that it was a word of life to encourage others.
A PICTURE
It was during this exchange with Jesus that a picture came to mind of people milling around what looked like the start of a marathon. Now, I realise that many of us are not runners but as followers of Jesus we are called to “run the race set before us.” I sought to understand what this was about and felt that many who have been called to run their race are still standing at the starting line while others have dropped out along the course. People who have known the Lord’s gift of salvation life but who for whatever reason have not moved on from the starting line or have become weary and dropped out along the way.
PERSEVERANCE
Why? I asked. Is it perseverance? “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” It is encouraging to know that Jesus has gone before us and endured the cross for each one of us. So, let us hear the words of Paul as well as the words in Hebrews, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith.” Let’s continue the race knowing He is running alongside cheering us on!
[1] Colossians 3:1,2
[2] Hebrews 12:1,2