Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2
My words…
Praise
All praise to the One who stands at the finish line, the bright stanchion of faith whose countenance is a cloud by day and fire by night. As long as I keep my eyes on You, I never fear of losing my way, wandering off track, tripping over snares, and skinning my knees. And even though I see You as the prize when my race is done, You are so much more. You run beside me, training, spurring, protecting. I turn my head to find You there, confident in the fact that I will not lose step. And when I slow to a walk, which I am wont to do, You do not race ahead and leave me alone and ashamed. You lift my head and remind me of the sweet rest awaiting me at the end. And I am off and running again!
Prayer for me
No one knows more than You how easily I am distracted. I could blame it on the lightning speed society of which I am a part – so much to see and hear around me. But I know that even if I sat in a field with nary a tree or person around, I would find something on which to attach my thoughts, and off they would flit, riding on the breeze like a dead leaf in autumn. It’s as if I can’t keep control of where my mind wanders. How absurd! It’s my mind. But sometimes I think it isn’t my mind. It’s been hijacked and taken for a joy ride through daydreams, and wishful thinking, and rhetorical questions. A black fog appears. Minutes, hours, and days of running blind until I just stop and call out to the One standing at the finish line. You appear through the fog, and my sights are re-set. The distractions will never evaporate. Help me to recognize their uselessness and worthlessness.
Forgive me
The writer of Hebrews calls these distractions “the sin that ensnares us.” I take my eyes off You, and sin is there, grabbing my attention. It’s so very pretty…on the outside. Forgive me when I decide to allow sin to avert my attention. It’s my decision, and it’s always a bad one.
Prayer for others
Lord, I am not the only distracted disciple. We are a large team of runners, tripping over each other, sometimes shoving each other. How can we be a light to others if we keep being drawn off course into the fog? We trip over the snares of doctrine, ideology, traditions and drag others down with us. But You keep shining, Lord! And we get back up, so grateful that You never give up on us!
Thank You
I can’t run this race alone. Thank You for lacing up and running with me.
More praise
You are the perfecter of my faith. You take my bumbling, ankle-twisting, air-gasping race and present it to the Father as one run by a gazelle. And it cost You – in blood. But I have resolved to not let one drop go to waste. I’ll keep running until the day when our hands touch at the finish line.
