The Race marked out for us

Week 2, Part 1 – devotional

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. Hebrews 12v1-3

The writer to the Hebrew diaspora understands the pressure, stress, and temptation that the widespread audience were facing. Pressure and hardship can make us suffer mentally, physically and emotionally. However, the option of giving up or bailing on our ‘race’ is not one that the writer was happy for the believers to consider! He wanted them to run the race with perseverance and there were a couple of key ways that they were inspired and challenged to do so,

1. They were to consider the great ‘cloud of witnesses’ of Hebrews 11. They were not the first to suffer. They were not the first to have to trust for the impossible! The writer wants his audience to play their part in running the race. It’s almost like a relay race. They were to carry the baton forward. The cloud of witnesses had walked by faith, now it was their turn, and now it is surely our turn in this real life race.
2. They were to consider Jesus, and so are we! He is the author and perfecter of faith. We are to consider everything that He is and everything that He did for us in order for us to keep running a strong race, and finish it well. We are empowered by the Spirit as we live in Christ.

Reflect: Are you surrendered to the fact that you are enrolled in this ‘race’ of faith? What drains or discourages you and restricts your ability to run the race with perseverance? Do you ‘consider’ Jesus to help you ‘run’ better?

Take some time to think about your own ‘race’. What does it mean that it is ‘marked out’? How can you sustain your race and persevere until the end? Are there any of the Hebrews 11 characters that really inspire you?

A ‘mist tunnel’ refreshes runners in hot conditions in Olympic marathon races. It is a spray of water on the athlete designed to cool them down a bit and refresh them. In the same way, God designed us as humans to also need refreshing for the journey of life!

Reflect: Take a few moments to think through whether you are getting the regular refreshment and encouragement that you need for the ‘race’ you are running. What does that mean for you spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically? Are there any ‘worn down’ people around you today that YOU can encourage to run their race?

JS.