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I’m tired!
My first response to this passage was “I’m too tired to run.” If it means I’ve got to practice, and persevere, and try harder, and all those things which feel like a lot of work, forget it! Then I looked closer at what these verses are really saying.
I found some interesting facts. “So great a cloud of witnesses” refers to the heroes of faith such as Noah, Abraham and Moses mentioned in the previous chapter who have already run their race. One commentary said they are now the spectators of our race. How awesome is that to think that this group is watching us and cheering us on!
Another fact I found is that when the Book of Hebrews was written, readers would identify with the local games of the time; and they would understand that commitment, discipline, and the determination to win was required of the athletes. They knew competitive runners should “lay aside any encumbrance” or “weight” that might jeopardize the race. They got it. Do I get it?
Nothing (absolutely nothing) would be too hard if one of my kids, or grandkids, lives or health were at stake. What about their salvation? Is it at stake? I need to change my attitude! Where do I begin? It’s right there in the verses.
I am to look to Jesus, fix my eyes on Him – study Him and see how he ran His race. Since He is “the author and perfecter of faith“, I must realize my faith comes from Him – it’s not something I can drum up on my own. Jesus endured the cross, despised the shame, (not exactly my formula for victorious Christian living, but He willingly did it although He despised it), and received the eternal reward at the throne of God. He did all this just for me and for all who call on his name. That’s amazing love!
Lord, when I am tired, be my strength. You went before me to show me the way. When I grow weary and lose heart, help me to fix my eyes on You. Amen.
In 490 BC Pheidippidies ran 26.2 miles to deliver the message of victory to Athens Greece, and then he died. Or so “they” say. Today thousands of people run this distance for the purpose of completing a great feat. There is training and struggle and pain involved in getting to the starting line of a marathon. However, we know that some greek dude did it, so why can’t we.
Such should be our perspective on our run of faith. Thank you Nancy for sharing your insight. The path has been paved before us. The prize is more beneficial than we can know in this earthly body. It is encouraging to follow the “heroes” that have gone before us.
Nancy, it’s good to see you again, and we’re looking forward to you being at CCC more regularly.
As I walked downstairs to my office just now, I whispered my whiney prayer, “Lord, I’m tired.” What a perfect response from God to me is found in His word in Hebrews. I have been blessed beyond belief by people in my life who have finished the race well. I think of my own dad and my grandfather who were still full of sap, young in the Spirit, when they were very old – compared to me just being “full of it” most times. Then I think of other saints who’ve invested themselves my life. Their “witness” or testimony confirms the power of Jesus and the truth of “The Way.” They are also part of the “great cloud of witnesses” referred to in the verses, and they help keep me moving to to finish well. It’s the testimony of their lives found in the Bible, and in the lives I have been blessed to witness.
That is the power found in Jesus and found in relationships and community in the Church, and specifically at Cumberland. If we are discouraged and about to give up, we should expect to receive and we should commit to deliver to each other, encouragement to endure, to finish the race well, and with joy.
We join in that “great cloud of witnesses” by living out our Faith.
You know my problem with being in this race is thinking it is a compition. How many people did I save? How many mighty prayers have I had answered? Am I beating the guy next to me? God wants us to run this race with our eyes fixed on Jesus. I don’t need to worry where I am finishing ( first,second or last) I need to fix my eyes on Jesus and finish. I am thankful for the crowd of witnesses that we have at CCC. It does make the race a lot more fun. The fellowship and teaching and serving enables me to run the race living out my faith. So off I go to work to run the race today.
Nancy it was good to see you yesterday come back quickly to CCC. We miss you and your store bought pasteries because it was you who bought them with love.
i have a brother-in-law who I count as part of the great cloud of witnesses. Joe was an awesome singer/evangelist who died when he was 26, but became the reason I entered ministry. So often I can see him cheering me on… Those thoughts make me want to run unencumbered. I know I have the promise of Jesus that he will never leave me, but the reality of someone like Joe cheering is icing on the proverbial cake.
Thanks Nancy! Glad you’re coming back…
love you,
alan
So much truth and inspiration in those 2 verses! One truth that jumps out at me is, “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us”. This reaffirms that we do have a choice to let sin control our lives or not. My absolute favorite part in these verses though is the imagery that comes to my mind of running “the race” (of life) with Jesus clearly in site, and He’s cheering me on very enthusiastically.
Who can I cheer on today? I was reminded of what Jesus said to Peter(Simon) in yesterday’s message…”But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” This is my personal encouragement this week. Jesus is praying for me…that right there is “da bomb!” My faith will not fail, but rather, I can be an encourager to my fellow Christ-followers. I hope someone who reads this will be “cheered on” knowing Jesus is praying for them. To quote a great scholar…He is the ultimate “mama-jama” prayer warrior.