Keep running is something I heard often when I was in High School. When in a track meet my coach would literally run along a stretch of the track and yell to keep running. Sometimes this was just enough to make me dig deeper and press forward. The Christian life can also be compared to running a race. We push off the blocks when we are saved. One moment we are a sinner on our way to Hell, and in a moment of time we have changed directions toward Heaven. Our race has begun.
In Hebrews 12:1-2 the writer gives of instructions about running our race in the Christian life. Before he begins to teach us the way we are to run, he reminds us that there are those who are cheering us on to the finish line. He alludes to those who have run the race before us. Those who have run successfully are now enjoying the reward of Heaven because they endured until the end. They finished their race. The writer wants us to think about the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. Such as Abraham who pushed forward to finish. He had been given promises by God but did not live to see those fulfilled, yet he did not quit. We have the faith of David who sinned and suffered great consequences but never stopped running toward God. He repented and grew stronger in the Lord. God called him a man after His own heart. We can also look at the faith of those who are running the race today and gain strength. Those who are in prison for their faith and those who have given their life for their faith. Many have suffered being exiled from their families because they believe in Jesus. These are also heroes of the faith and they encourage us to keep pressing on.
How do we press forward? We must “lay aside every weight.” A weight is something that will hinder your progress. As you run the less weight you carry the easier it is to keep going. What weight do you have that keeps you from being all you can be for God? It could be your pride. Pride is a very deceptive sin. It is a matter of the heart. It is how you see yourself. It may be the sin of laziness that hinders your progress. Giving in to how you feel will definitely impede your progress. Whatever slows you down needs to be laid aside.
We must “run with patience.” Living for Jesus is a marathon, not a sprint. This is vital to remember if we are to finish. You must pace yourself and keep your focus on the finish line. Too many have started the race and get frustrated or disappointed and quit. They are like the runner who wants to win the race but does not train properly. To finish our Christian race, we must prepare ourselves daily by walking with God through study, prayer, worship, and obedience.
The most important factor to keep us running is the purpose for which we are running. Our desire as Christians should be to please Jesus, the one who laid down His life for ours. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus was in the garden and in agony He prayed “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” It wasn’t about Himself; it was about pleasing the Father. It was about obedience, not about His comfort. This is how we should approach our Christian race. Jesus said in John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the one who looked ahead at the honor He would have at the right hand of His Father. He was willing to bear the reproach and shame because He knew the joy that would be the consequences of redeeming the world. He looked ahead to the future, and we should also. Sometimes looking for the hope that we have secured in Christ and feeling the gratitude and love that we have for Him because of what He has done for us, is the only thing that can get us through the difficult times of life. Keep running there is a prize to gain and it is out of this world!
