Detangling the Race

[S] Hebrews 12:1-3 --
¹Therefore, 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,

²fixing 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.

³For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

[O] How you complete a task is as critical as starting a task because you may start full of passion but if you run out of endurance during the course, you may barely finish, if you finish at all. The spiritual race is set before us to run. The question is whether we will endure throughout the race while we live here on earth. Having said this, because of so many obstacles of "encumbrance and the sin" along the way, this race is not just a mere marathon of endurance, but also a race of hurdles to jump over. While on this rough race course, I need to fix my eyes on the perfect runner in front of me so I would be encouraged to follow His track. In fact, even though He is perfect He isn't just "beaming" Himself from start to finish but running the whole course ahead of me so I would not grow weary and lose heart along the way. So many times, I feel like punting when the uphill is too steep to climb but when I see focus on Jesus, I can move forward. This is just like at times when I work out I either read a book or watch TV -- these times I lose concept of the time and seem to finish the course quicker (not that the time passes any quicker).

[A] From the start, I need to focus on the forerunner, Jesus, as we embark on the small group ministry and gathering the leaders. He's going ahead so I will not grow weary or lose heart.

[P] Thank You, God, for sending Your Son Jesus to our world so we may have a true encourager along the race of our lives. I lift up my current situations to You knowing that You are the one encouraging me forward. May I not take my eyes from You who's going ahead such that I will not derail myself from the course. In Jesus' name. Amen.