Look to Jesus

The best athletes never just show up and perform to the best of their abilities. Their best performance is the fruit of practicing skills over and over again. In the spiritual realm, we also need to practice in order to do our best spiritual work. In order to run this race of faith and win, we need to do the 4’s L’s of Hebrews 12:1-2:

#1) Listen and learn from the examples of others who’ve gone before us. (Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.) The spectators cheering us forward aren’t just bystanders, they are those who’ve been through what we are going through and they know that we can win this race. We have to be willing to listen and learn from those God has placed around us and it requires humility.

#2) Lay aside all the unnecessary things. (Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.) Can you imagine running sprints in a track meet with ankle weights? While it might help build speed and strength during practice, it doesn’t help win the race. Many times we are carrying the guilt, shame, and regret from our past as well as the sins of our present. It’s time to let go and receive God’s forgiveness.

#3) Let endurance help us keep the pace. (Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.) Haven’t we all see a runner with a really fast start who gets ahead of everyone else, but after the first lap they begin to burn out and get passed by? There’s a certain rhythm and pace necessary to run the race and win it spiritually as well. Endurance through difficult times produces within us the ability to win the race of faith.

#4) Look to Jesus. (Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.) Our eyes must fix squarely on Jesus every day and at every opportunity. We need to see Him at the finish line and listen to His coaching through the word of God. Many things will attempt to distract us; yet, as we look to Him we will cross the finish line of faith.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I want to finish my race of life well. Help me to listen to godly mentors, lay aside unnecessary things, let endurance have a place, and look to You for everything I need. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In His Service,

Republished by Blog Post Promoter