Therefore, since we
are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us
strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily
trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We
do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects
our faith. Because of the
joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is
seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful
people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not
yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. Hebrews
12:1-4
When we are alone, we are never truly alone. There was a time that I felt utterly by myself. No one to understand me and no one to care. That sounds extreme because I had loving parents and a large family who lavished me with love. However somehow, I had worked myself into this mental trap where I felt useless to those around me. This was me at nineteen (Am I the only one hearing ‘Steely Dan’ in my head?). Lost. Feelings of failure and hopelessness ran through my mind. Then a voice said to me in song, “Put the weight on my shoulders.” This was the first time that I truly knew there was a God. It was then I knew everything would be alright. Thirty one years later, He’s still there, and has never left me. Yes, I’ve grown in my faith by leaps and bounds, but it is good to always remember where God’s presence affected your life because it strengthens you knowing where He can take you if you trust in Him.
We must always look past our current circumstances by
remembering how faithful God has always been.
Paul spoke to the Hebrews about God’s righteous discipline of His
children and how we are to embrace it with enduring strength by keeping our
eyes fixed on Jesus. Think of how tough a
sale that was! Even though my dad past
away years ago, I remember that last whipping from him like it was
yesterday. Not sure unconquerable
strength was one of the virtues I got out of that one! However, Paul was trying to prepare them for
what was to come instead of remind them what had happened. He wanted them to keep fighting for their
journey of faith would not be an easy one, and God and others would test them
as they struggled with the weight of their sinful ways. Thus, his words were incredibly insightful
not only for them but also us. It is for
us to remember that when things get rough, we have a savior who endured far
worse circumstances. He will be with us
through our trials, and when no one cares or understands, He does! Just hang on for as you keep your eyes fixed
upon Him, strength to endure will come, and you will be victorious in the end.
Joy always comes in the morning if you can withstand the
tests in the darkness. I listened to a
song that reminded me that I will eventually overcome my struggles because I
serve a God who with Him I cannot lose.
But until then, I will keep loving Him.
That is what our journey of faith is about. It’s seeing victory beyond our current circumstances,
and in the meantime, keep loving God with our whole heart. What is shackling you from focusing on Christ? How can God’s past promises reassure you of a
brighter tomorrow? My prayer is that when
faced with challenges we look to Jesus and His past faithfulness in
remembrance. Amen.
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