Race Devotion: Running On - Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Hebrews 12:1-2          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. (NIV)

When I was in High School, I used to enjoy long distance running. Going around the track twenty times or more gave me moments of solitude and clarity that enabled me to find solutions to some of the problems and issues I faced as a teenager. Most of the things that burdened me were brought on by my foolish and selfish ways. Running around the sports field gave me the time that I needed to sort things out in my heart and head. It was an effective way of facing my faults and thinking through my thoughts. Usually, when it came to running around the last track, I felt much better than I did when I started.

The older I get, the more I realize that life itself is a long-distance run. Through the years, I’ve made more mistakes than I can possibly remember and am burdened with a number of regrets. I cannot change the past, nor the route that I have followed, but my faith has endured so that when I look ahead and think about what’s left of this lifetime run, I see Jesus at the finish line. Knowing He is there, encourages me to throw off those past burdens which hinder me and fix my eyes on Him. That’s when I realize that this whole journey of going through life has but one purpose: to run to Jesus, the perfecter of my faith, and be welcomed by Him.

I don’t know what problems you are facing or how many burdens you’re carrying in your hearts; I don’t know what fears you have or regrets that weigh you down, but this I do know, you can throw them all off today and lay them down before Jesus – then you can continue to run this beautiful race that we call life, knowing that at the end Jesus will still be there, waiting for you.

Q: What is burdening me right now and hindering my enjoyment of life? Am I ready to hand it over to Jesus and let Him cheer me on?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and fully understand our weaknesses and worries, anxieties and cares. Help us to lay them down before You, as we fix our eyes upon You. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

 

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website here: www.erinpres.org

Today’s image is an old favorite drawing of John’s called “A New Earth.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: New Earth.

Super Tuesday devotion - Running to Win - 1 Corinthians 9:24

1 Corinthians 9:24     Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

            It’s a big day in America because millions of people will turn out to vote in the Primaries. A lot of people are deeply concerned, including me, about how our elections are being manipulated by the media. Whether it’s from biased news coverage or prejudiced comedy shows, the outcome is the same: a dangerous polarization of the greater community which threatens to tear apart the fabric of freedom across the country.

            How we got here is anybody’s guess and I’m sure that the historians a century from now will know all the answers. What I believe we need to do as Christians is to ask God for healing to come to our nation after the main elections, and then work to restore a practical unity and commonality in our own communities. No matter who is elected, poverty, ignorance, and disease will still be around, so we will still have plenty of missions and ministries to undertake, accomplish, and fulfill.

            When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about running a race and winning a prize, he was talking about our individual faith journeys. We rush through life headed towards the finish line, but rather than keeping our eyes on death, we raise them up to look at Christ and see Him waiting for us beyond the end of the race. He is our ultimate destination; He is our ultimate prize.

            So, no matter where we end up at the finish of this election, our eyes need to go beyond the political temporal world and look up to the sacred everlasting kingdom. Of course, we need to be in the world to help our communities, but we also need to look beyond this life to the eternal faith community to which we ultimately belong. There is no point in running this race we call life, only to finish at a dead end.

Questions for personal reflection

How often do I think about life after my death? Do I know where I am headed?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, in the midst of all the important events that are happening in our lives and around the world, help us to keep focused on You. Remind us that we are Your servants and enable us to work in our communities by sharing Your love and compassion with other people. Lead us through life, so that we may always look ahead and still see You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions about today’s devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Holy Week drawings called “Gargoyle of Golgotha.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Golgotha.