I Will Run

"... Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1,2

This world is full of distractions. I have realized that most of my life I have been too easily distracted. This can happen in a number of ways. Do I feel overly responsible for another's emotions or situation? Do I lack the follow-through on projects I have started? Am I lazy?

We have a race to run. That is our specific calling in life. Again, this can be a number of things, but the essence of what I am saying is this: I can not run my race if I am looking at the other runners.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but those who trust in the Lord will be kept safe."

We must "fix our eyes" on Jesus! This is the only way we will run our race well.

So today, throw off any weight that you are carrying. Guilt is not of God. Shame is not of God. Jesus "ignored" the shame He suffered on the cross.

We must be confident in Who we are and Who God has called us to be!

I will run.

A Vessel of Honor

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].

So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." --2 Timothy 2:20-22

In today's society, especially our captivating world of media, we can get caught up in what the world says is acceptable and ignore the life giving truth of God's word.

It's not like God is just saying "Don't do this and that"...He gives us the right things to aim after and pursue. He gives us direction as to what we should be focusing on--Faith, love, peace, unity and fellowship with the Body of Christ.

Psalm 101:6 says, "My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land." God gives us Christian brothers and sisters to encourage us and spur us on.

May we take this challenge from the Lord seriously. In the depths of our being, let's pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace...so that we may be a vessel of honor for the Lord.