watch out for the trash can

Hebrews 12:  ¹ 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,

 

Throw off the chains that bind and run with perseverance YOUR race…..the race marked out for us. The KJV, the ASV, Bishops Bible, and the DRB translate the verse as to run with patience, the ESV says to run with endurance. The Greek word used is “hupomone” meaning cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting). Why do we need to run with patience? Because we each have to run our own race. Have you ever watched the 1600 meter ran? It is a very interesting race. You see, some people can get out in front, and they stay out there, some run mid pack, while others might drop even further back. It comes down to each runners “kick” they have to run their race, based on how they can best run, and for some, to finish as strong as they can, they have to be patient. They have to wait to Kick at the end. The point being, when watching this race the first couple of laps are watched in relative silence. There is not a lot of screaming form the stands to speed up, or go go go, the teammates out on the track are not pushing each other to get off pace and get to the front. Each one knows that while they are covering the same distance, they each have their own very unique race to run. Folks, we are running the 1600 in our spiritual lives. We all want to get to the same finish line, but we each have to run our race, the problem is that sometimes we forget to throw off everything that hinders us. So while we are running, maybe we pass someone and feel the need to tell them that they are running too slow, or they should get new shoes, or that their clothes are not suited for the race. We forget that the race they are running, while on the same track, is a very different race. It all comes down to potential, it takes patience to see that potential, and we all have the potential to win the race, as long as we run our race, the one marked out for us.

 

I was reading a book on the mental game of tennis last night, and it made a very good point, that I will try to paraphrase. When we plant a rose seed, it is still a rose, we do not curse it for not having roots, we know it is still in it’s infancy, when it sprouts through the surface, we do not curse it because it does not come up with blooms open, and strong stems. We are amazed that it has grown so much! Of course when it reaches maturity, we love the plant for what we knew it was always was going to become…..a rose. No matter the phase it is in, it is still a rose, it has the potential to become a beautiful rose bloom; and just the same, no matter where you are at, once you give your heart to Christ, you are a Christian. You have chosen to run the race, and now you just have to find, and keep your pace. Judgment can destroy a young Christian just as easily as forgetting to water a rose bush will halt its growth. We must focus on our race. Have you ever been out for a run or a walk with someone, and you start talking, you lose sight of where you are going. You get so interested in telling the story that the next thing you know, you run into a low hanging branch, a trash can in the road, or you don’t see the pot hole? That is what we risk when we spend more time worrying about telling our fellow runners how to run, instead of showing them what good form looks like. I promise you the devil has placed trash cans out along the track, he has pulled down the tree branches, and he has dug a few pot holes!

 

Just like with the rose seed, it all comes down to potential within us. Each one of us has the potential to become a shining example of Christ. Each one of us has the ability to exceed what we think our body’s limit is, we have the potential, to run further, faster, and stronger, than we thing we can. That is the potential of Christ living inside of each of us. For us to unlock it, we have to run our race, and more importantly we have to allow others to run theirs.  That is not to say that we leave a fellow runner on the sideline, we help, we foster the potential, not curse the lack of speed, we encourage by showing good form, and the effortlessness that comes with running with Christ. We encourage, we build up, we share the Word, and we keep running the race that is marked out for us. Be patient, throw off the chains that bind, and run!

 

 

God Bless,

Brian Thetford

<((((><

 

www.psalm22.net

 

www.theworkweekwithchrist.blogspot.com

 

 

God Bless,

Brian Thetford

<((((><

 

www.psalm22.net

 

www.theworkweekwithchrist.blogspot.com