Run the Race

In Hebrews 12 we read that the life of a Christian is like a race. Not a race with one winner but more of a marathon type of race where you win by just completing the race.

These Hebrew Christians were failing in the race. They were carrying extra things with them that weighted them down and didn’t allow them to run freely. Their knees and legs were getting tired. Moreover they were getting distracted by sin and doubt. Some of their Jewish friends were encouraging them to re-route back into Judaism. It was attractive to them. The memory of it was better than the reality of it. And they had lost patience in the race. They thought the race would be shorter and easier. They thought that Jesus was waiting just around the corner to gather them up into Heaven. But every time they rounded the corner they just saw more race track.

The author encourages them to look at someone else who had run a race… Jesus Christ. He ran his race and had joyous times and hard times. He chose to allow himself to be nailed to a cross. He allowed people to verbally insult him. But he had *patience* and *joy* because he knew than in a few short days he would be sitting right next to God the Father himself. And whatever happened before that was hard but OK because the glory and happiness of eternity was waiting for him.

Sometimes we make this life bigger than what it is. It’s kind of like driving to Corpus Christi from San Antonio. San Antonio is a big city but when you’re watching it in your rear view mirror it gets smaller and smaller until you can’t even see it and Corpus gets bigger and bigger the closer you get to it.

Our race starts when we arise out of the waters of baptism and doesn’t finish until we take our last breath. Run to Jesus Christ and don’t let anything distract you or get in your way.