November 23, 2023

Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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. (NIV)

You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.*

I am not a runner but I can guess at some of the conditions that might hinder someone from running their best: Overweight; wrong shoes; lack of preparation; bad attitude. Some obstacles are easier to overcome than others. Getting properly shod is more quickly accomplished than reaching a healthier weight. Preparation might be less of an issue if you work at improving your attitude. But apparently, in the race of life marked out before us, there are things that hinder us – and then there is sin that easily entangles us . . . like too-long shoelaces that cause us to trip and fall.

In a footrace, it is up to the individual to rid himself of everything that hinders him; but in our spiritual race, we are not alone. The great cloud of witnesses – those heroes of the faith listed in Hebrews chapter 11 – are our inspiring examples of throwing off hindrances and running with perseverance. No challenge to your faith surpasses what they have overcome. And we have one extreme advantage over those winners: Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (verse 2). Consider what he endured so that you don’t “grow weary and lose heart.” (verse 3)

One more bit of encouraging news: in the race of life, it is not the fastest runner who wins. The winner is the one who perseveres, staying on the course marked out for him until the end. Fix your eyes on Jesus – the trophy for those who finish well.

We cannot run somebody else’s race.*