Marathon Inspiration
I saw this picture on a t-shirt many years ago.While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it does make a powerful point.
The Hebrews author describes our Christian journey as a marathon and a battle.
We're to run, to push, to fight.
We're to fight off resistance from the outside ("everything that hinders") and push through the struggles we have on the inside as we deal with our own temptations and weakness ("sin that so easily entangles".) Through all of this there is the danger that we grow weary, and even worse, lose heart.
How do we get through this weariness? How do we keep our hearts beating warmly?
We look to Jesus!
But not gentle Jesus meek and mild with perfect hair and perfect complexion holding cherub-like children.
But sweaty dusty Jesus, faithfully teaching when His voice was tired and scratchy, confronting demons and healing even when it meant that power flowed out of Him leaving Him tired and drained. Not Jesus of the ivory tower comfortably teaching from some temple college, but staggering up the hill of Calvary with a shredded back, a crown of thorns and a heavy cross to bear.
Consider Him.
Him who endured the ultimate injustice and the unbridled ferocity of human cruelty.
Him who while nailed to the cross found the grace to forgive and the power to carry our sin entirely.
Him who was not executed, but gave up His life and while doing that still had the focus to care for his earthly mom and his teenage disciple.
And He'd have done it all if you were the only one...
You can persevere! You can get there!
Just look at Him!
| 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. (Hebrews12:1-3) |
