Run the Race

Opening Prayer: I thank you Lord that I can be assured that you are with me. Help me in these times of self-quarantine to focus on the joy of your presence. Help me to see my small sacrifice of personal closeness in the light of your great sacrifice for me. Help this perspective to fill me with a peace that I will help me to better run this particular race.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Message: I am sure the feeling of weight is a shared experience today. We all are burdened with worry, fear, and concern. Much of this weight is on us and within us because in the age of the internet, we have almost too much information. I usually think “the more information the better,” but the fact that we live in an age where the information is not only plentiful but contradictory makes it difficult to know who or what to believe. In these times, as in times of calm, it is important to remember that there is one place and one person in whom we can place our trust and from which we can receive the truth.

It is equally important to remember that the author of our faith is also the finisher of our faith. This fact alone makes me breathe easier as it lifts a bit of weight off me. It is not up to me to see to my faith’s completion in perfection. This is Jesus’ realm. Now, we must be careful because trusting Jesus to be the author and the finisher of our faith does not mean that there is nothing required of us. On the contrary, a race is placed in front of us. We are called to run by “laying aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely.” It is the act of turning away from sin and toward Jesus that allows us to be able to run the race “with perseverance.” I can think of no better prize on which to keep our eyes than the loving arms of our Savior and Lord. Give your burdens and your sins to Jesus and run the race with these weights lifted by forgiveness through grace. Run unencumbered toward the light of the world.

Closing Prayer: My heart is heavy. The sound of my voice echoes around my quiet home. I ache for the healing touch of another human being. Yet, I will praise you. I will joy in the Lord of my hope. I will become creative in the ways I let those I love know I love them. Help me to bear this season of personal distancing with courage. Remind me to look ahead and to use this time to prepare my soul for the next season to which I will be called. Amen