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If you ever watch a marathon or any track event, you will see this happening all the time. Runners in a meet cross the finish line and, to a man…or woman, no matter what position they place, there’s an unmistakable rise and fall to their chest as they slow their run and come to a stop. They heave and sigh in a desperate attempt to try and catch their breath. Some of them win. Some of them don’t. What matters most in that moment is whether they finished the race marked out for them.
“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.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
God has a race marked out for each one of us. This is not in doubt. The question is, are we running that race in such a way as to cross the finish line? The Hebrew writer tells us three things we must keep in mind if we are to finish the race God has for us. And, just like on the track field, we have an audience surrounding us, cheering us on.
Throw Off Everything that Hinders
Sometimes, watching track and field events becomes a bit embarrassing. It seems that over the years, the outfits are getting skimpier and skimpier or tighter and tighter. But, I get it. When you’re in a race, especially one where speed is a factor, you can’t have clothes that create a backdraft holding you back. Anything that makes the wind slow you down becomes a hindrance. So these days, athletes get rid of anything they perceive will hold them back.
God asks the same thing of us. If we intend to cross the finish line, we must get rid of any and everything that could slow us down. Maybe it’s an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend trying to worm his/her way back in to your bed after you’ve given your life to Christ. Maybe it’s a job that prevents you from worshiping with other believers. Whatever it is, if it slows your growth and prevents you from making it to the finish line, we must throw it off and do so without regret.
Get Rid of the Sin that Easily Entangles
Short races like the 100 meter dash are exciting to watch…especially when it includes an athlete like Husain Bolt. There is no doubt he will dominate the race. But place him on the field next to distance runners who are in it for the long haul and I’m not so sure he’d know what to do. Distance runners have a technique. Though they all start out in different lanes, once the race starts, everyone shuffles towards they inside lane and begin to jockey for position. At times, however, in all the pushing and shoving and attempts to outrun their opponent, someone’s foot gets caught and they stumble and fall. If you’re anywhere near this athlete, it’s likely you’ll get tangled in the mess and fall right along with them.
It’s important to keep an eye out for your pride, or selfishness, or arrogance, or sin of choice when running your spiritual race. They are running right alongside us, jockeying for position in our hearts in an attempt to trip us up and bring us down. Anything that can easily entangle and prevent you from crossing the finish line has to be dealt with because it can not only affect you, but those around you as well.
Run with Perseverance
One reason runners breathe so heavily when they cross the finish line is because their bodies are spent. Some run their race full out from beginning to end. Others pace themselves according to the race they’ve been given. One thing’s for certain, no matter what the race, getting to the finish requires perseverance.
Your spiritual race is no different. Whether you’re race is a sprint or a marathon, you will face obstacles through which you must persevere. You could face financial setbacks. You could face the loss of loved ones. You may have to fight off personal demons. You could begin to doubt yourself or even God.
Whatever it is or whatever it may be, your race isn’t finish until you cross that line. God gives you everything you need to get there, the cross of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and access to His power. It’s just up to you to never give up.