1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
Ready, set, go....
RACE
Hebrews 12:1-3
New International Version (NIV)
12 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...." Some days that doesn't seem very easy...to persevere. We're busy, busy, busy...just trying to get through the next five minutes, the next hour, the next day, the next week... Always on the go, always racing for the next event or the next stop or the next...
But that's not really the race these verses mean. The race marked out for us. The race with Jesus at the finish line...waiting to welcome us to eternity. Jesus, who suffered, bled and died. Just for us. Jesus who gave up EVERYTHING to win life for each person who believes. Fix your eyes on Jesus. The pioneer and perfecter of our faith...who for the joy set before him endured the cross....
So what can we endure for that same joy? What can we strive for to reach that joy at the finish line? How will we run the race? With anger, bitterness, fear, pettiness, shallowness? Or with strength and endurance, with a heart fixed on Him, our eyes focused on Jesus?
Run the race, friends...run strong, persevere, focus!
Stop
Kelly, thank you for this invaluable reminder - what the real race is. It's so challenging to remember that the more REAL race is not the "rat race" that life can be, but the race toward Jesus, with Jesus. What I hear in this post is, in the light of this reality, what else really does matter?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Amber! When Jesus is our focus, it's so much easier to put the "rat race" stuff in the right priority!!
DeleteI don't remember reading that scripture before, so I am going to go back and go over it again. I love it. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! It's a wonderful scripture...one I often find to be encouraging...and a good reminder of WHO should be our focus in all things, everyday! Thank you for stopping by!!
DeleteAmen, amen.
ReplyDelete:) Denise! Thanks for stopping in. Blessings!
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