“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily en-snares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
– Hebrews 12:1
Often, when approaching this well-known verse, there is a great deal of emphasis on the laying aside of weights and sin. Also on the idea of the witnesses surrounding us. But I want to look at the race.
I want to look at it because when you and I hear the word “race” in that context, we generally think in terms of competition. And Paul cer-tainly uses the idea of athletic competition in his writings, but it’s im-portant to note that he’s talking about taking our walk seriously; at least as seriously as an athlete in training. There is a race set before us, but it is not against each other..
Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” You see, God has a plan for your life, and it’s a good one. He sets you on the path of that plan when you are born again, and your race begins. Not a race against other believers, but a race to fulfill God’s plan for your life. The biggest hindrances to the successful completion of our race are not other racers; they are weights, sins, distractions; any-thing to keep us from focusing on our race.
Ephesians 4:14-16 says, “that we should no longer be children, … 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
You see, as I run my race, and as you run yours, we are not com-peting with each other. I am not trying to reach the finish line in a state of greater spiritual maturity than yours. I am not competing for a prize only one of us can win. I am doing my part to make you a better “runner”, because the better you are, the better we are, and the better I am. I have a vested interest in your spiritual development, in your success as a Christian.
Keep that in mind during this “Year of Others” as you pray for one another and for me. And if you want a physical reminder of how we run together, consider joining Team LWFC as we walk/jog/run the C-U 5k in April! Details coming soon to your inbox!
With you in Christ,
