Run the Race

 "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".

 

 For those that know me well I am not one for walking. When told about some great feat of stamina or expedition e.g. a marathon run, mountain climbed or cycle rode my tongue in cheek response is normally "why not drive?" In fact someone , who I admire greatly, finally convinced me to walk from one of my churches to a neighbouring one as part of the historic churches walk.  Great I thought through a thoroughly convincing smile "can I get a lift back?"

 

Some would, rightly, call me lazy and perhaps I would agree. I'd just rather do it all quickly and get on with the next thing. Does that make me strange? Yes, but it makes me like a lot of people who just rush about with their eyes fixed on the next thing sometimes negelcting the current. The next appointment, the next meeting, the next person you want to talk to .... the next race.

 

So the big question is simply "Where does God fit into this?". In the hurry of life, the  hustle, the bustle, the busyness, the fast paced aspect of our lives where is the one who give us our breath?  

 

Running the race marked out for us is edifying, it reminds us that God is involved. Yet the race is more difficult because of the burdens we carry and the sin reminding us we are not worthy. We cannot run the race when we are carrying suitcases and bags that weigh us down. What a picture that would be in the upcoming olympics. 

 

Friend, will you lay it all down and run the race set before - the race God intended? Will you sore like the eagle or slither like the snake?