Hebrews 12:1-3 “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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
This passage demanded my immediate attention this morning as I read it. I couldn’t escape he phrase “sin that so easily entangles.” The truth behind that phrase hit me; I started to think of the things that I do that is not pleasing to a Holy God – the “small” stuff and the big stuff. It definitely easily entangles!
I try my hardest to fix my eyes on Jesus just like the passage instructs; yet so often I run my life in auto-pilot, and I let God down. Running the race takes stamina, and stamina comes from working out and training; I definitely can do better and must do better. I really do try to live a missional life and want to bring the hope of Jesus to people I encounter, so the hindrances and distractions of life take away from that pursuit. I liken it to text messaging while driving (guilty) – looking down for a split second could make it the last second to breathe (extreme case of course). So fixing my eyes on Jesus and not growing weary is essential. Once again, “training” and a good spiritual “diet” is key to not growing weary.
One uplifting part of this passage is that “we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” so we have the support and accountability which I am utterly grateful for. There is hope even when the race is not easy to run and at times giving up seems the best option. Jesus is the answer.
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