Running the Race
Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2
A friend sent me a meme once that said, “If you ever see me running, you should probably run too because something bad is chasing me.” I replied with one that said, “If you ever see me running, get out the way because I’m trying to get to the cake.” It’s our way of saying that we don’t run, at least not for fun. However, I know many people who do run for exercise, stress relief, or even for fun. If you see me at a road race, I am there strictly to cheer you on. I can do that.
If you’ve ever been on the sidelines of a long road race, like a marathon, there are people all along the route cheering the runners on. These folks will cheer, hold up encouraging signs, and pass out electrolyte gel packs. At the finish line, you’ll see even a bigger crowd, encouraging them to go that last little bit. I was doing that with a friend for her husband one time. At the finish line, you can see just how hard running a marathon is and the toll it takes on the runner. Some people are stumbling. Some have pained looks on their faces. Others are getting sick. And you cheer them on to keep going. Some just collapse as soon as they cross the finish line.
The imagery of a race in this passage is familiar to people who have been in the church a while and know their scripture. The life of faith is often compared to a foot race or a marathon. We complete the race with the encouragement of the “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. However, the key to finishing the race is not just in who provides us inspiration. The ultimate key to finishing the race is to focus on the correct thing. We are to keep our eyes focused and fixed upon Jesus, who is the very source of our faith. I don’t know what marathon runners focus on to keep going when their legs feel like Jello and collapse is imminent. (I don’t’ know if I ever want to find out personally.) When our figurative legs in our race of faith feel like Jello, Hebrews reminds us to turn our eyes and focus upon Jesus.
Life will throw many things at us that will challenge us and maybe even make us doubt our faith. Fixing our eyes upon Jesus helps us find the strength required to keep going. I know that runners train and prepare for races. It requires an enormous amount of discipline to prepare. You need to stick to your plan, build up endurance, fuel your body properly, get enough sleep, and add cross-training exercises. However, focus enables discipline. As we run this race of faith, focusing on Jesus keeps us going.
Prayer
Lord, help me to throw off anything that hinders my walk with You. Teach me to fix my eyes on Jesus daily, and give me strength to run the race with perseverance. Amen.
Rev. Dana Ezell
