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.
When I read today’s verses, the first thing that popped in my mind was, “Go big or go home!” Seriously, it reads like a challenge from Paul, doesn’t it? Kind of a what do you have to lose, just do it, kind of challenge. Paul was pretty good with the pre-game pep talks!
The moment you are outed as a Christian, the world is watching you. They want to see if you can walk the walk, talk the talk and all that jazz. So why not show them all you got! What is it you got, you may ask? You got JESUS! He is the perfecter of our faith. That means when we do screw up, we have grace! What the world really needs to see is that grace. We need the world to see it is OK that we AND they don’t have to be perfect. They just have to keep running the race.
No one walking into a church is ever perfect. No one sitting in a pew (or behind a pulpit) is ever perfect. No one who walks out of that church is perfect. As Christians, we are just made perfected by the blood of Jesus. We thank God every day that we may not be where we need to be, but we aren’t where we used to be either. So stop watching and listening to the world and their opinions and keep those eyes focused on the only One that matters. Shut the crowd out and keep running the race!
Lord, challenge accepted! Let’s run this race! ~amen
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