RUNNING THE RACE

11/31/14

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12

If we can consider for a moment that we are all running in a race of life. We are all on this track looking towards the finish line. While we are in this race we partake in it with others. There are all types of people that are also running alongside with us. Some may perhaps decide that that they need to follow someone who is in front of them because of their leadership qualities. Perhaps they are a pastor, or a favorite teacher or prophet, or whatever. Maybe they have followed this person for years traveling around this track of life, continuing to complete each circuit around the field.

But now they have noticed that the one that they have been following for years is slowing down and perhaps has even stopped. They've watched them lately and they have noticed their attention being diverted from the race. If one has watched closely, they have seen their eyes looking elsewhere, and perhaps this person has even dropped out of the race.

How many of us have looked to another runner in this race rather than to the one who has gone before us? How many have looked to a man or woman that we looked up to but ended up seeing their frailties rather than their strengths? How many have put such a person up on a pedestal only to finally find out that they shouldn't be there? Dear people, all who run in this race will fail you at some time or another. All will fall short. All will make mistakes, and all will SIN. But we have a champion who has run and who has become perfect through the things that he had suffered. You see him out in front, persistently running before us, paving the way. His face is set like flint. He does not waver. Every few moments as you watch him he turns his head back towards us smiles and says, Continue on my son and daughter. And at the end of this race, you will hear him say,

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. Matt. 25:23

Stephen Hanson