Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3
I don’t like to run. I was never really fast and distance running never appealed to me on any level. Despite this fact, I have always admired individuals who could do it. One of my friends in High School was on the track team. Running is in his blood. To this day, he posts his times on online some 30 years later. I imagine that this keeps him both fit and happy.
Lately, I have been trying to find a comfortable marathon pace for my life. It seems that for a good period I was busy, busy, busy. All my time was accounted for and sometimes hours that should have been set aside for sleep and exercise, just were absorbed with more busy work. Even though I saw myself moving forward during this period, it turns out most of it was an exercise of running in circles. Not really making progress on the things that matter most. God’s Word compels us to run with endurance keeping Jesus as our focus. Things that cause us to sin or to do things contrary to His word and will for our lives should be dropped. These are the things that weigh us down and hinder us from living the life God has available to us. Looking to Him gives us focus, gives us direction and helps us to find the stride that will help us to endure until we cross the finish line.
All these many people who have had faith in God are around us like a cloud. Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God. Sinful men spoke words of hate against Christ. He was willing to take such shame from sinners. Think of this so you will not get tired and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 NLV
The walking wounded seems to abound on the earth. It may not be evident in their gait or even on their capable bodies but their emotional hurts are evident in their conversation, their words or actions. I often witness it in their faces, their hateful words, their wide range of emotions or their ability to spread discord quickly wherever they travel. It makes me sad to think that they are not receiving the healing, peace and joy available to them. The Balm in Gilead is here. Jesus came that we can have life and life more abundantly. Jesus can provide healing for our souls. Wherever we are in need of healing, Jesus can provide a salve to heal our bodies and our souls.
Terri's Wellspring 