What Do I Need to Run My Race Well
What do I Need to Run My Race Well?
This morning I was reading Hebrews 12:1-2 and reflecting on the words there…
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As I read these words over and over, I began to think about the weight we are carrying. We carry a lot of weight, don’t we? Weight is anything that hinders a runner. So, as we run our race – live the Christian life – what is weighing us down, slowing our pace and maybe even pulling us off course? Maybe we should just sit and think about what is the weight in our life – what is hindering us? Grab a pen and let’s make a list.
Define your Weight:
It could be our thoughts that are slowing our pace. Our actions, or lack thereof, reveal our thoughts. These thoughts are what drive us to do what we do or encourage us to not do what we should. Our thoughts – yes even our thoughts – are to be obedient to Christ. That is why we are to take every thought captive. We are not to cling to thoughts that do not conform to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. All other thoughts are dead weight, making our race a struggle.
It could be our attitude (or attitudes) that is tripping us up. The world condones a poor attitude – telling us we can justify our attitudes – because we have been wronged. We may have an attitude of self-righteousness, an attitude of anger, a victim mentality or a controlling attitude. But… what does God’s word say about our attitude? Well, in Philippians 1:27, Paul wrote, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Wow – that is a pretty direct and concise statement. Paul goes on to say in Philippians 2:5 (CSB) “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus”. We are to be like Jesus – taking on His values, His attitudes and His character. Any other attitude is too heavy and weighs us down, tripping us up and deterring us from running our race well.
It could be our habits that draw us off course. You know – those things we do over and over and over again. Habits are the traps we fall back into so easily – even after struggling to be intentional and rid our lives of them. Oh – we usually think about very obvious bad habits – like drug abuse, shoplifting and adultery. But what about those other habits that we do our best to conceal – people pleasing, worrying, discontentment, anger, dishonesty, pride, judgement, busyness, stress, insecurity, bitterness, resentment, indifference, and co-dependency. Oh yeah – those are really bad habits that are so heavy they can easily draw us off course.
It feels heavy to just read about our weight – the things that hinder us from running our race – living the Christian life – well. It burdens us to recognize that our thoughts, attitudes and habits may be leading us astray. But the great news is that can all end today. Today can be the day that we tighten up the laces on our sneakers and stretch our hands up to heaven and surrender all of us – every thought, every attitude and every habit to the One who came to set us FREE! You see when we surrender all to Jesus, we will be free indeed. Free to bring our thoughts into obedience to Him. Free to be transformed into His likeness. Free to pattern our lives and develop the habit of becoming more and more like Him.
It all begins with looking to Jesus. Jesus is our everything. He is enough. He is all we need. So look to Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith – as we run with endurance the race that is set before us.
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