I love watching the Olympics, especially the races. It doesn't matter if it's track & field,
swimming, cross country skiing, bob sledding, they all get your heart pumping! I've often
wondered at the stamina and dedication that it takes to be an athlete. The constant
training, pushing yourself to do better all the time.
Did you know that Christians are athletes and that we are participating in a race? The
Bible says this about the race.
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset
us, and let us run the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For
consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye
be wearied and faint in your minds."
We are running the most important race of all, the race of faith. In the chapter before
we have the "Christian Hall of Fame." Here listed are those who have finished the
race with honors. Every athlete has someone that they look up to in their field, someone
who has excelled in the race. As Christians, we too have many to look up too, many
that can be an inspiration to us, but ultimately we should be "Looking unto Jesus."
Jesus Christ has run this race. He knows the obstacles, the pitfalls, the hidden dangers.
He also knows where to find rest for our souls when the way gets difficult; Psalms 23:
2 & 3 "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the
still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake." He has left us His "training manual," the Holy Bible. This
is also the nourishment that we need for the gruelling race. Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy
words were found, and I did eat them: and Thy word was unto me the joy and
rejoicing of mine heart:"
An athlete is dedicated to the race that is before him. He takes all the precautions
needed to participate to the very best of his ability. He trains hard, knows the terrain,
and takes nothing with him except what is needed to obtain victory. We need to "Lay
aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us," Are we carrying
unconfessed sin? Are we harboring grudges against others. This "weight" will slow
us down, hinder our progress!
He also cannot spend his time looking back over his shoulder. No runner gains ground
by looking back! Philippians 3:13 & 14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but his one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." We have to always keep the
finish line, the goal of this race before us. It does no good to be constantly looking
back to the past. We can get side tracked with regrets and guilt. We must keep pressing
onward.
How are you faring in this race? Perhaps there are some reading this today that are
nearing the end of your race. You can see the finish line in the distance. May I
encourage you not to give up. Keep going...your crown awaits! Maybe you feel beaten
down and are just stumbling along. I implore you to rest for a while, let Jesus restore
your soul. Spend some extra time feeding on the Word of God and in prayer with the
Lord. Then get up, look ahead and press on, your finish line awaits you as well.
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