Enduring the Race

“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, ² 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. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12: 1-3

Real talk here. Lately, virtual church has been hard. I miss being with people, putting on real clothes and going to a place of worship — feeling the music and hugging people — I don’t even like people that much, extroverted-intovert here, but we are not made for isolation…but for companionship and community. All that to say, it’s getting old, but today was different. For one, I “slept” in, i.e. stayed in bed, until 10:00 AM because two of my kids are away with my parents at “Camp GaGa.” Even Hayes was still asleep! So I got up to my husband making breakfast/brunch and the worship music from church playing. It was delightful. A friend and our new youth pastor, Jaime Rios, was preaching so I was looking forward to what God had laid on his heart to share — man, if it wasn’t spot on.

Jaime and his wife Megan are awesome for lots of reasons, but here’s some of my favorites: Megan is a twin, she and her twin sister are both nurses, bonus points, Megan and Jaime have twins, they are fellow runners and just truly authentic and funny people to be around. We have run many races together and by “together” I mean we were at the same race, they were always ahead, but we got the same medal — isn’t that what it’s really about!

I’ve said before that I have a love-hate relationship with running. It doesn’t come naturally to me, like my body was just not made to be a “runner;” it’s not pretty, but I have come to appreciate it. The physical and mental stamina, endurance if you will, is not to be underestimated. Some runs, you feel as though you could keep going for miles, while others it’s a struggle to just keep a pace. It is just as much mental as it is physical, if not more. That’s why I love this quote from the Joseph Collection. “Running is nothing more than a series of arguments between the part of your brain that wants to stop and the part that wants to keep going.” So much truth to this on so many levels in so many aspects of life. Here’s just a couple of other truths I feel on running:

I encourage you to listen to Jaime’s message here at CityView Church Running Well. It really hit home for me and I hope it will speak to you as well.  So how do we run well? First, we must lay aside, throw off, consiously get rid of what holds us back, what hinders us, the sin that weighs us down from our own faith and walk with the Lord. This looks different for everyone. Whether it is social media, work, shopping, worry, control or any other adiction that keeps us from fully surrending to God, lay it down. As a dear friend says, don’t let a good thing become a God thing. As I sit here alone in the hospital, waiting pretty impatiently for hours on Hayes’ surgery, I know that anxiety can inhibit me from experiencing the peace only God can give. So here I am, taking that off and laying it at the feet of the Lord, hour by hour.  Secondly, we keep running — we endure. We patiently suffer through the race, the agony that is before us — wow. Well, doesn’t that just sound like something I’d like to get right on. Nope. LOL Truthfully, no one said this journey would be easy. In fact, it says the exact opposite — but God. I love the but God moments. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33

Finally, we look to Jesus. He is the author, pioneer, creator of our faith. He has laid out the map set before us and it brings joy and hope. This is the prize — the everlasting joy from God by doing His will in faith, looking to Jesus the entire time — every step. Because He has endured the cross for us, disreguarding, dispising any shame coming from others so we can have victory through Him. He has run the race, and is seated because it is finished. Oh, that we would continue to look to Jesus on this race — finding peace and faith over fear.

Emily