WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "RUN?"

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1)

A really aggressive spiritual stance is exceedingly rare these days. If we look long at the professing church, it would appear that one can appropriate the blessing of God with very little effort. But that notion is a delusion. The spiritual terrain between here and glory is rough and steep. There are also strong enemies lurking in the crevices of life, whose objective is to stop us from obtaining the prize. Add to those conditions the fact that time is running out, and you get the picture of urgency.

There is a "race" before us–one that has been "set before us." We do not "run" haphazardly, or on a course of our own choosing. We are on an appointed way, given by God for gaining access to Himself (Isa 35:8; Heb 10:20).

Already many have traversed this way, running the race that was set before them. Those who ran by faith have finished their course, and are now among a "great cloud of witnesses" that are beholding us. They attest to the rigors of the race, the effectiveness of running it by faith, and the greatness of the prize awaiting the victors.

To "run" requires all of our effort. With the enemy breathing down our neck and time running out, we cannot afford to jaunt along indifferently. In fact, all of us are carrying some excess baggage. It was received from Adam, or by nature. It is often associated with our past, but always relates to this present evil world. There are "weights" that retard our progress. These are things that are not necessarily wrong of themselves–but they slow us down, causing us to become more deeply rooted in the world. These "weights" are not specified because they are personalized to the individual who is running–and it is the business of every runner to identify what they are.

There are also "sins" that "easily" beset or ensnare us. These are areas of special vulnerability–where we succumb more easily to the flesh and the devil. You know what areas they are for you.

Both the "weights" and the "sins" are to be aggressively discarded from us. Having cast them from us, we are to pick up our pace, and run the race with endurance. We may not be able to run tomorrow, so we do well to run today, making progress to our heavenly home.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace and strength to complete the race You have set before me--and to do it in a manner that will bring glory to Your holy name.

-- MONDAY: THE KIND OF PEACE JESUS POSSESSED --