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Hebrews 12: 1 (NIV)
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.
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| A race has been set before me; and it is my duty to find out what that race is, and run it, and not waste life in regrets that I cannot run a different one, or life's energies in unsuccessful attempts to do so.* |
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I was never one of those girls who dreamed of being a
cheerleader. Perhaps, even as a small child, I knew instinctively that I didn’t
have the perky personality or the physical coordination required to join their
ranks. Often it is obvious that those bouncy girls are just there to be seen
but we have all witnessed those rousing moments when the enthusiastic roar of
the crowd made a difference in the outcome of the sport.
As Christians, we are surrounded by a crowd of
cheerleaders – the saints who have gone on ahead of us who would like us to
know that it is all worth it. We may not be able to hear their voices but their
stories cheer us on as we run our own race of faith. In Hebrews chapter eleven,
the writer reminds us of these heroes who demonstrated the faith without which
it is impossible to please God. Characters such as Abel, who offered a better
sacrifice (4: 2-5); Enoch, who was commended as one who pleased God before he
was “taken away” without experiencing death (Genesis 5: 21-24); the Israelites
who crossed the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 14); and those not named who were
tortured for their faith “so that they might gain a better resurrection;” and
so many more, remind us that God honors our faithfulness with his own.
The writer of Hebrews says that the race is already
marked out for us. Let go of the cares of life that slow you down. It turns out
that those things we carry around are not so important after all. Run the race
with the confidence of a sure winner. And listen to the roar of the crowd!
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| Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder us and something else that may not.* |
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