“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
Have you ever trained for a race or a competition of some kind? I haven’t trained for a race but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know what goes into it. There are hours of practice, time when your mind will remind you that you could have been doing something else, something “fun”. There is skipping of desserts and substituting healthy food choices. The mindset of a commitment to continue all that you are doing to prepare yourself so that you are able to compete.
There is a reason that not everyone is a marathon runner, a competitive weight lifter or an accomplished musician. All of those things take a mindset of sacrifice and a level of commitment that not everyone is willing to pursue. I am not saying that we don’t all have the ability to be committed to something long term or are able to sacrifice what we want to do at times to continue practicing or training for what we are committed to.
I am saying that not everyone chooses to be committed to the level of giving up what our flesh wants most of the time and continuing to focus on the goal of training for a race or practicing to hone a talent. It is very easy to say that we are going to do all these things but it is different when we are actually in the middle of it. However, external support helps.
That is what Paul is doing for the early Christians, he is encouraging them to continue with their faith. He is acknowledging that it is hard and that there are many times when they are going to be tempted to stop. Paul is stating that sin can tempt us all until we feel like we cannot resist any longer.
I am facing this temptation now with this blog. I have made the commitment to write a daily devotional and at the same time, I have been doubting that it is reaching people. This leads me to start thinking about changing it from daily to weekly. The devil is very good at making our flesh scream at us with what it wants, in this case my flesh also would like to stay in bed at times or watch television instead of connect with God and write what He is instructing me to write.
As I have struggled with this, I have found encouragement from my family and friends that I have confided in about this struggle, and all the comments from those who read the blog. I have been reminded me that this is all for God and that I should continue praying and asking for His guidance. I will do that as well as continue writing this blog, the best I can, until I have a clear peace about what I am to do.
Most of all I am going to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author of my faith. I hope this encourages anyone who needs that encouragement right now to continue on in their faith.