The fixed race

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 I’ve heard my husband say many times that this Christian walk is not a sprint, but a marathon. This walk is filled with so many challenges, obstacles, and hurdles, and they are often unexpected and sometimes tumultuous. However, the great cloud of witnesses that the writer discusses in Hebrews Chapter 12, despite having experienced so many of these trials, are constant reminders to us on how we can endure and persevere through struggles as we walk with the Lord faithfully. How? By fixing our eyes, our attention, our focus on JESUS – the author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is the ultimate example of endurance as He bore the hostility of sinners – and the horridness of sin FOR US – so that we won’t grow weary and lose heart through our difficulties. This encouragement, however, is not deplete of personal responsibility on our part – we are urged to “lay aside every encumbrance (weight/obstacle) and the sin which so easily entangles us.” There’s that admonition again (same as yesterday’s devotional), to honestly examine ourselves and get rid of anything that hinders our race, our walk for the Lord. And FIX our eyes on Jesus – that is an act of our will – purposely focusing our attention on Him, aside from the distractions of the world. He is the author and perfector of our faith and He has already endured the cross and suffered just for us! My sister, my brother, don’t get weary, don’t get discouraged, don’t lose heart – you have to RUN the race knowing you already WON the race because Jesus Christ fixed the race! See you at the finished line!