Embrace The Race

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12: 1-3

I am sensing frustration. There is a growing angst directed at our leaders over this pandemic. If I’m honest, I feel it too. Despite my earlier writings and admonitions, I am ready to go back to life as usual. I am tired of being cooped up in our house with no place to go. I miss people. I am frustrated by this situation.

Frustration happens when I feel restricted from running the race I want to run.

This text reminds me I am not the first person to feel this way. Moses, Abraham, and David…they were not always able to run the race they wanted to run. Often, they had to run the race marked out for them. Of course, Jesus is the ultimate example of perseverance in a difficult race. He endured the cross and scorned its shame. There was joy set before Him, but His race was not a fun one. All other races pale in comparison to the one of the Savior.

I don’t always get to run the race I want to run. Often I am called to run a race marked out for me. I don’t like this reality but not liking it doesn’t make it untrue.

So, what do I do with this information?

I feel determined to run this race well.

I want to run this race with perseverance, patience, faithfulness, joy, and grace.

I want to shake off this frustration, weariness, and fatigue and run faster, longer, and better.

I want to keep my eyes on Jesus, follow His example, receive His encouragement, and feel empowered by His spirit.

In short, I want to stop complaining that this isn’t the race I wanted to run and embrace that this is the race marked out for me.

Eventually the race will change. Who knows, maybe the next race will be one of my choosing? What I do know is that I want to look back on this race and say, “I ran well.”