running my race


Last weekend I heard a message that made me stop and think about my race..

 the one God gives uniquely to each of us.


The verses that encourage us to run the race and finish well take on a new meaning when faced with adversity.

Do we run the race God has given us without questioning his sovereignty or do we look at others and wonder why their race is different from ours?

Comparing circumstances with others is easy to do.

We would all want our families to have the easy race but what if that is not God's best for them?

What if the difficulties faced will cause me to draw closer to Christ?

Would that not be worth it then?

Oh the sweet peace when we trust Him fully.



I've read those verses in Hebrews 12: 1-3 in different translations and then I read it in the plainest language translation that I thought I would share with you.


"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.
 Study how he did it.

 Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"


See this part?

"Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed..."

We watch those that ran the race before and see how they did it.
It is good to pay attention to the footsteps of ones that embraced their race and chose to live a life that honoured God.

We all know those people.  
They inspire us.

Some are beginning their race and some have finished.
Oh to race well.



Take thirty-seven minutes and forty-three seconds  to listen and be inspired and challenged.
 I'd like to invite you to click on the link and listen to Jeff Bucknam on this message.



Let's stop taking the short cuts in our races and put our lives onto a course that will see us finish well.

all for now...
with love,


Comments

  1. Such words of encouragement on 'running the race' well...whatever our race may look like! I want to finish well. Thank-you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovella this was such inspiring message and it has caused me to think along similar lines as you express so beautifully. I love the photos you have added and the fact that you have taken the time to reflect on and share this message. Running the race with you, my friend . . . even though it be a slightly different one . . . may God give us grace to finish at the same spot. Oh what a day that will be!

    ReplyDelete
  3. A race where it only matters if you cross the finish line... this reminds me of the song that says what if your greatest trials are your blessings in disguise?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I want to run my race and finish it well too. Thanks for this great reminder. I like the song that Vee shared too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh how timely this is. I've been thinking a lot about other people's race lately and how it compares to/differs from mine. Thanks for the encouragement to run our OWN race. The song that Vee mentioned was the theme song for a friend who battled breast cancer and finished her race a couple years ago, it was a finish that came much too early for a young mom and wife. I always think of her when I hear the song. Many a time her story has inspired me when I feel weak.

    I'll listen to the message you shared at some point, pinning it to remember. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful words of encouragement...
    I want to run my race well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. As hard as it was to listen to, I agree. The race He chose for each of us is not always easy. Some days we question why someones road is so easy when our own is not, but this puts it into perspective. I'm trying to embrace my path. I love the Message Translation, thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful and inspirational post. Thank you Lovella, that you shared insight into the race that is set before each one of us. Our faithfulness will result in a race finished well, or not. The choice is ours.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so thankful that God does not give us a glimpse of the race that He chose for each of us. I am also so thankful for those who run the race with us, those who cheer us on, and those who just sit with us when we can't keep running. A well written post Lovella, from a cheerleader on the sidelines of daily life.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovella - I had a chance to listen to the sermon today and was inspired. Thanks for sharing this. I too want to run this race well! I am thankful for the cloud of witnesses that have gone on before me. Much to think about!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you!