Run with patience

My memory of a long distance race I ran in Jr. High School years ago was triggered recently while reading Hebrews 12:1. I distinctly remember Sam, the fastest runner in the class, exploding out of the starting line with unmatched speed. However, the problem was that his energetic and extremely fast start was short-lived. I was shocked that, within a few laps, I passed him as he was laying on the ground gasping for air.

Focus Scripture

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1

The Scripture above speaks to us about the need for patience in the long distance race of yet another new year. The laying aside of unnecessary burdens and baggage is also a great recommendation for each of us.  For it is a fact that the journey of life is not a 40 yard sprint, but rather, it is a marathon that includes uphill and downhill distances that we must patiently prevail in.

As we run to work, run to appointments, and run into yet another new year, may we all be aware of our pace as we move forward. As Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift.” You see it’s not how you start that’s most important, but rather it’s how you finish the race.  So let us all run with patience as we look unto Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith.

Pastor Daron Hudspeth