Life can be like a series of races. Its finish lines, the individual goals of each participant. The track however, is not the same for every runner. It’s an awkwardly staggered race for some.
Some runners have been carefully groomed - “racing” is in their DNA. Each of their prior generations have passed along a competitive spirit. These fortunate participates have experienced a life-time of carefully orchestrated training. They are committed to training, but they have had the tools and the support to press on.
There are others, however, who are unaware of the race. They’ve never heard a starting gun. They don’t even realize they too have a participant’s number. They appear to have no one in the crowd to cheer them on.
One group of runners “make things happen” while the other group looks back at their course - and “wonder what happened” ...
Life’s inequities exist. A person might appear to have every right to view their position in life as a victim of it’s circumstances. Their starting starting line might be marred by the scars of a broken family, abusive relationships, poverty and loss. Yet, even for them the testimonies of individuals who have previously run similar races in their shoes, upon their track, facing their obstacles - in some instances, even greater obstacles - TO BECOME OVER-COMERS - EXIST! These are true champions; victorious in their human endeavors!
Nick Vujicic is an interesting participant in the race. Some of you might recognize his name. I’ll let him tell you his story ... http://www.altnoise.net/inspirational-nick-vujicic-inspirational-christian-story/
Hebrews 12:1 proclaims:
“Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony of the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside ever encumbrance - unnecessary weight - and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher, [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (also see Psalms 110:1)
The Apostle Paul encouraged the congregation at Philippi follow his example and to also observe those who live after the pattern he had set (Philippians 3:17). He too looked to the the testimony of veteran runners who had run the race before him (please read Hebrews chapter 11 for the Bible’s Hall of Fame).
Life is like a series of races. Its finish lines, the individual goals of each participant. The track however, is not the same for every runner. It’s an awkwardly staggered race for some.
HOWEVER ...
The most encouraging words I read from Hebrews 12:1 are these:
“... and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.”
Life isn’t a sprint, it is an endurance run. There are no rest stops, we must continue to pursue with active persistence. Most important, it isn’t an unknown course - it is an appointed course that is set before us by Him Who loved us so!
Today is a great day to clean the spikes, get rid of some of those things that might be hindering your progress. As you run, keep an eye out for a fellow sojourner who who needs encouragement. Someone you meet today might need a servant’s loving hand. Someone might need to hear that the race is worth running and the prize has been personally ordained by the God who loves them!
Ready? Set? ... well, you know the rest!
God bless!
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