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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
Endurance and perseverance are two words that do not generally fill me with joy, probably because they often go along with the other word in this passage I don’t like, run. I played sports in high school, and I appreciate how being conditioned can contribute to a better experience in whatever sport you enjoy, but I have always hated running. In fact, I strongly resemble the saying, “If you see me running, you better run too because something must be chasing me.” It is only through endurance and perseverance, however, that we can experience physical conditioning. In the emotional and spiritual sense, endurance and perseverance are just as important. It is during those times of training, those moments of straining, stretching, and striving, that we are conditioned for our walk with Christ.
When we are engaged in this marathon we call life, we often feel like we are running all alone. Sure, we may have family and friends who care for us, but they can’t do the training for us, nor can they run our race for us. While it’s true we have to run our own race, those family members and friends, and indeed other Christians whose names we may not even know, are our witnesses, and they are cheering us on. If you don’t think this is true, just look at how many people respond to a Facebook post asking for prayers for someone they don’t know. Not only do we have those witnesses, we also have a Savior in whose footsteps we walk. He has run his race already, facing the cross to pay for our sins, and what can we have to endure that He can’t understand? Jesus is the pioneer and the perfecter of our faith, and we need only to follow His example when you grow weary and discouraged. We can endure and persevere because Jesus endured and persevered so we could be reconciled with God.
Father, we feel so alone as we run this marathon of life, especially when the days are so long. Help us to remember that we are not alone, but are instead in this marathon together. Show us those other people who are cheering us on, but mainly, show us how your Son runs alongside us, and even ahead of us. Thank you for sending your Son, who endured the cross simply for the joy of restoring us to relationship with you. Forgive us when we take our eyes off the finish line, and help us to throw off everything that hinders us and entangles our feet. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
