Recently, I
have had a major lifestyle change. Because of my youngest daughter’s
encouragement, I have begun to run three and six mile races. Until I
started racing, my past runs were limited to running
to the refrigerator. Now I am eagerly preparing for a 13.1 mile
half-marathon race this fall.
When I
run, I am reminded of the race that Jesus spoke about in
Hebrews. I put aside everything that might distract me or
slow me down. I run in spite of the pain in my legs, sweat
on my forehead, laborious breathing, and sometimes nausea in my
stomach. But when I complete my race, all of the effort is
forgotten. I am thrilled at being a part of a group of
finishers. Some ran faster than others and others just walked, but we
finished our course.
Today
is a bright new day for each of us. God has given all of us a unique
opportunity to begin over again on a fresh path. He encourages us to
forget about past failures, missed chances and failed goals. We are all
standing at our own unsullied starting line. It does not matter how we
performed yesterday, we can run this race with patience. We can get
through our difficulties, our challenges, our failures and our victories. We
can run with joy knowing that Jesus is leading us.
Happy
running with Jesus!
Pastor
Dennis Fair
Hebrews
12:1, 2
New
International Version (NIV)
1Therefore, 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, 2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith...
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