Devotion: Running the Race

Running the Race

by Marsha Iddings

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

I have several friends who enter lots of races.  One of them recently entered the half Ironman in Boise, ID.  For almost six months he trained for this race.  It took a tremendous amount of discipline and, no doubt, sore muscles.  The day of the race he endured a constant headwind, exhaustion and muscle cramps in his legs.  He said he was afraid he might not finish, but he continued doggedly ahead with his eye on the goal, running through the pain and he finished.

The Bible speaks about running the race:

 1Corinthians 9:24-27  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Those of us who deal with chronic pain issues don't often feel like we are able to run a race.  But we are in a race.  A spiritual race.  The pain that we feel physically is part of our race.  Like my friend who had to deal with leg pain, exhuastion and a feeling of not being able to finish, we are also dealing with pain in our race to obtain the prize of the high calling of God.  It is part of our training and an act of perseverance in the race when we are able to continue on in the faith in spite of the pain by God's grace. 

We must lay aside our discouragement and fear and press on toward the prize.  Hebrews says we are to run with patience the race that is set before us.  Your race may be harder or easier than my race.  Each of us have a different race in terms of difficulty or ease that we are running.  We are tempted to look over at another person's race,  and become discouraged because we compare ourselves with them.  We must keep our eye on the goal and persevere through the pain by God's grace.  He will be faithful to give us His persevering grace as we need it when we trust in Him.

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints
http://middings.blogspot.com

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