Run! Run! Run!

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Anyone who has any ongoing interest in track and field, beloved, especially at the Olympic level, will surely remember gold medal sprinter Michael Johnson and his "gold" track shoes! I will never forget watching those gold shoes flying around that track in record time, passing runner after runner.

Though I have never myself competed in any kind of foot race, the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that we are all as Christians involved in our own "race" for personal holiness. Nor is this a race of our own choosing, but rather one that God has "set before us," just as the race that Jesus ran in His own earthly life was also "set before Him." Over the next several blog posts, beloved, I would like to share with you four specific commands of God related to how you and I can insure that we run our race faithfully and successfully.

Just as an introduction to such a "mini-series" of devotionals, however, imagine if all of the faithful saints who have gone on before were able to watch us moment by moment and note how we are living as Christians. Imagine also if you knew that they were watching! Scripture does not teach us that such is happening - let's be clear about that. But this "great cloud of witnesses" has left for us a tremendous example that is ever before us. Or to put it in track and field terms, they have "set the bar high" for us to follow.

Think of the patriarchs and the prophets of God, the apostles themselves and the preachers and missionaries who have faithfully run their race before us. Think of every saint of God who has served Jesus Christ through times of trouble and times of blessing. Think of every believer who has taken their turn in the vineyard, who has "toed the mark" on the track and run steadfastly the race that God has set before them.

Now understand, beloved, that it is our time to run. You have your own lane in which to run and your own finish line to cross. What will the next generation say, should Jesus tarry, about the way in which you have run your race and I mine? Will they be able to praise God for our faithfulness even as we today praise God for the faithfulness of those who have gone before us?

I invite you to drop by each week as we consider the four commands of God that I mentioned earlier here. Learn all that you can about this glorious race of life, this race for personal holiness, and allow the Spirit of God to speak to your heart about your own running of that race. The saints gone ahead may not be watching, but I assure you that a lost world is! Run, beloved, run! Run well!

Ron