The Race: Part II

"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." (Hebrews 12:1)

Back when the Bible was written, Olympic runners would strip down to their birthday suits for their races (pardon the mental image, but the reference is in the Bible). Modern runners tend to buy the lightest shoes and least restrictive clothing in order to run easily and unincumbered. I'm not a big fan of training in the winter because I have to pile on layers of clothing for my run. I prefer the summer, despite the heat and humidity, because I don't have to deal with the restrictive bulkyness.

The writer of Hebrews says that our sin and other hindrances weigh us down as we run the race of faith. I believe that the modern church, including myself, struggles with confession and repentance. Unnecessarily, we continue to carry the sins and burdens that Jesus took with him on the cross. The weight is heavy and exhausting. Why do we hold on to things Jesus died for? 1) Pride 2) Shame 3) Comfort and 4) Misplaced priorities.

Some of us fail to repent because we are too self-righteous to admit that we are imperfect. We don't repent because we don't want to prove that we've messed up. Our pride causes us to believe deep-down that we are equal to God and that we don't need him to fix us. If we don't repent, we can convince ourselves that we're OK with God even though Scripture says we all sin. REPENT of pride. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and mind. Own up to your sin, and throw it off.

Some of us are too ashamed to repent. We fear God's judgment, so we inflict judgment on ourselves for our sin. We self-flagellate instead of trusting that Jesus' death took the penalty for our sin. Shame often turns into self-pity. Self-pity is a tactic to ignore pain and guilt and focus on our feelings instead of turning to God for freedom. REPENT of shame, and turn to Christ for mercy.

Some of us are too comfortable to repent. We confess our sins openly, but we don't turn away from our sin. We don't let God transform us. So, we let sin continue to rule over our bodies instead of living in the freedom of joyful obedience. REPENT of your comfort. Ask God to give you the grace to accept change that allows you to be more like Christ.

Lastly, some of us have our priorities wrong, so other things hinder our relationship with God. Good things like exercise, work, family, music, and even blogging can get in the way if they are placed before God or not infused with God. Our lives need to be structured in such a way that we spend quality time with God everyday. He must come first.

So . . . Confess, turn from your sin, trust God's promise to forgive, realign your priorities, and run the race unhindered for Jesus.

The Race:Part I

I've begun training for a half marathon. That's right, for some insane reason, I've decided to run 13.1 miles all in one morning in mid-November. Running has always been a hobby of mine, but it's also been an incredible metaphor for my faith. Over my next few posts, I'm going to record some of the thoughts I've had while training.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everthing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)
I've always imagined that the cloud of witnesses are the fans in the stadium watching me run and cheering me on. However, a commentary I read recently described the cloud of witnesses as fellow Christians who have run the race of faith with you and are now handing off the baton.

Back when I ran track in high school, I always preferred relay races over individual competitions. I didn't feel alone. I had my team running with me instead of against me. Relays were exciting because every runner ran their best for an incredibly fast combined race. However, the handoffs were always nerve-racking. With anticipation, you waited as your teammate approached at full speed. My heart would pump faster and faster the closer they got. I knew my part of the race was coming. My teammate would yell go, and I would take off with my hand trailing behind. As I received the baton, I would run my hardest for my team.

That's what our faith is like. Saints before us have paved the way. God himself has empowered us with grace to run well. We just need to be willing to take the baton and continue God's kingdom work in our time and in our place. Of course, you will get tired. Your body, mind, heart, and soul will hurt. You will sometimes wonder why you entered the race of faith at all. But those of us who are runners know the rush of a runner's high, of a race finished that was well run. So, run with perseverance. This isn't a sprint; be prepared for a marathon. But trust in God's grace to give you endurance to run and finish well for God's team.

The Word

I've been studying a lot about God's word recently. God's empressed on me the importance of, sufficiency of, and praiseworthiness of his Scriptures. In that vain, celebrate with me through the words of this hymn:

Laden with guilt and full of fears

I fly to Thee my Lord

And not a glimpse of hope appears

But in Thy written word

The volumes of my Father's grace

Does all my griefs assuage

Here I behold my Savior's face

in every page

This is the field where hidden lies

The pearl of price unknown

Thy merchant is divinely wise

To make the pearl his own

Here consecrated water flows
To quench my thirst of sin
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows
No danger dwells within

This is the judge that ends the strife

Where wit and reason fail

My guide to everlasting life

Throughout this gloomy vail

O may Thy counsels, Mighty God

My roving feet command

Nor I forsake the happy road

That leads to Thy right hand

"Laden With Guilt" as sung by Caedmon's Call