So when I read a passage in scripture that says to "run the race of endurance set out before you" I get a little nervous. Ugh. Running. Bleh. My brain starts to shut down. Yes, I don't like to think about running, but I think it also has to do with the concept of long races: having endurance. Because I am so impatient, I don't like thinking about having endurance, but I think that's what scripture is saying we need to have.
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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.As I meditate on this passage, a few thoughts come to mind. First, in order to endure the race, we must throw off sin that keeps us looking behind us. This has to do with counting "everything as loss" (Phil. 3:8) and being a "living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1). If we focus on our fomer lives, the old man, the world, we lose sight of our finish line. Second, our focal point should be Jesus. When we race, whether it's a 5K or a 10m, we have a fixed point of reference that is our goal. When we get tired, we focus on getting to that point--the finish line and the people waiting for us at the finishline. Similarly, if we truly focus on Jesus, other distractions will fade away and we will be able to run with endurance. Third, our race is providentially determined. God knows where He's leading us, even if we don't know where exactly our life will take us. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God "know[s] the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." What a comfort that God has planned our course, and that we know our final destination! Finally, Jesus himself ran that race, though he did not have to, and endured the cross, though he did not deserve to. We can find encouragement in knowing that we have a God who sympathizes with us, endured every kind of temptation known unto man, and yet, was without sin. When we get discouraged, we can be reminded of Jesus' undeserved suffering and the fact that He persevered to save us!*
Hebrews 12:1-3
So I've just written a lot of reasons why I should endure. When I think about it, though, I think the most difficult part of the Christian life is enduring and hoping. It's easy to be on fire and believe for a time, but it is difficult to hope during difficult circumstances, times of doubt, and loneliness. That's why I think it's also important to run the race with someone else (both figuratively and spiritually). When one person falls down, another helps him up, but pity the man who has no one to help him! I've seen recently the power of having friends pray with and for me. When someone (Satan, a person, or the culture) attacks our beliefs, it is so helpful to have friends who can help encourage you, strengthen you, and help you regain perspective. It's a blessing to be able to run the race with others!
Here's the point of my blog where I say that actually, running doesn't seem that bad anymore. In comparison to other hard-core training days, running for 30 minutes is actually relaxing. I've been actively choosing a pace and gradually running farther and farther. I've been setting specific goals for each day. I've been talking with people who encourage me to keep going and give me feedback on running the race. It takes a lot of dedication, but in the end, hard work and endurance will pay off. Who knows? Maybe with hard work I'll even run a 5K. :-)
*[On a side note, I love the fact that God uses metaphors! One of these days, I'd love to teach a class on God's use of figurative language in scripture...]
