Every-time I hear these three words, I get a picture of an athlete in the crouch start position awaiting the signal from the handgun indicating that the race has started. We are a few days into the year of 2023 already and the year is already getting busy with everyone returning to work, kids back at school and everyone’s new year’s resolutions are being worked on for some us. For me personally I have given up on those, and I'm still working on some resolutions that I made a shameful amount of years ago. So how do we start 2023 the right way? Hebrews 12 compares our life to a race, so lets start the race. On your marks, get set, go...
Each and every person’s race track looks different, but the end prize and goal is the same, to finish the race set before us strong and as a prize hear those words of Jesus: “well done faithful servant “.
Let’s look at 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he 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 sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
We can take away few pointers from here that will greatly enable us to finish the race.
Make yourself lighter
Throw off those things that keep you too busy, hinders your walk and relationship with God. We can get entangled very easily into our careers, social media, people’s opinions, our emotions and to all the noise in the world.
Never give up
Some days are harder than others, and we feel that we just want to give up or we slip up a little bit, that is fine, but the important part is that you get up again. Everyday day is new day, gifted by God Almighty filled with grace that is more than sufficient for what we need.
Keep your focus
If you are focusing on a certain color car for example, you will see more of those cars on the road passing by, the same way with our obstacles, if we focus on them, we will see them more, getting distracted by where we are going. Jesus focused on joy that was before him and that way He endured the pain and suffering. It's the same for us, Scripture tells us that we need to focus on the things above, not on earthly things.
He is preparing a home for us
This is the hope set before us, that one day we will all be joined together and united with our savior for all eternity. Being in a place where pain, sin, sorrow and difficulties are a thing of the past and replaced by the mighty presence of our Creator.
In closing, the race will have it’s obstacles and as we run, we may get tired and walk for a while. But as we take everyday, day-by-day focusing on Jesus and allowing him to guide our every step, while being disciplined in applying the guidance of Hebrews 12 in our lives, we will be able to not just finish this year, but also our race strong. On those days that we are tired, we need to remind ourselves that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, that His grace for us is new and sufficient for every day.
We wish you a blessed year filled with God’s blessing and presence as we continue to shine light into the world. God bless.
Jrevolution, is a nonprofit organization working with people of all walks of life to find fulfillment & purpose within their lives by giving them the tools they need to live a purpose driven life of impact. Many people live their day to day lives searching for purpose and meaning, but no matter how many different methods they use to find this, they never seem to obtain it. You may be in need of a new beginning. Find out more on www.jrevolution.net