Running the Race

"... and let us run with endurance the race

that is set before us,"

Hebrews 12:1

    

     As I read this verse this morning,  it occurred to me that we are running a race.  Just to think of the word race brings the feeling of being rushed.   Rushing to get to work, rushing to get to school, rushing to get this or that finished, hurry, hurry, hurry, all the while we are in that race.  Are we racing to get to God?  Are we racing to get to eternity?  What are we racing to or for?  Is our race for more success or money?  Is our race to be better at something than our coworker or neighbor?  Is our race against time?  What are you running the race to do or see or be?   

      There is more to this verse but this part of the verse is the most important to me.  I am in the race set before me...

   Looking to Jesus for guidance-

   Looking to Jesus for security-

   Looking to Jesus for peace-

   Looking to Jesus for grace-

   Looking to Jesus for help-

   Looking to Jesus for promise-

   Looking to Jesus for direction-

Things in the world have changed mightily in my lifetime.  The world is seeing the beginnings of those labor pains that are ushering in the coming of our King, Jesus.  The things that are happening are swiftly calling to our Lord to come to this earth.  Looking to Jesus to return should also be on my list.  Looking for Him to come and fix this messed up world. He is calling to the people.  He is showing signs of His return.  The earthquakes, the crazy weather, wars, and rumors of wars are telling the people to run the race.  But many of the people wander aimlessly looking for the things that will satisfy the running of their race. Their races of success or of something else.  They are not looking to Jesus.  Let us run the race with endurance, not out of breath and rushed.  Let our race be steady and sure.  Let our race be away from sin and into the mighty arms of our Lord.  He sets the race before us.  Let us make sure that we run the race as He would want us too.   "Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24)  Run the race to obtain the prize of salvation and eternal life.  Run like your life depends on it.   He is all we need.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4:7