Running with Endurance

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Heb 12:1-3).

Here is, in a nice, neat nutshell, the Christian life: "Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Very clear and clean. We get a "why" in there to start with. "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses." Why? Because so many have done it before and done it well. (For the "great cloud" in mind, read through Hebrews 11, a list of folk "of whom the world was not worthy".) So, because there are so many like us before and today -- people who have run or are running in faith -- let us set aside the weight of sin and whatever else we carry and run with endurance whatever race is set before us.

What I find fascinating is the "how". Frankly, given the popularity of "how to" books and such programs as AA with their 12-step programs, I would think it might have been more complicated. It's not, really. How are we going to set aside those things that slow us down and run with endurance? We are going to do this task by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Now, how hard can that be?

The primary operation of the Christian life is setting aside that which encumbers and running with endurance, and the secret to the success of reaching that primary operation is looking at Jesus. Looking at the One who authored our faith. Looking at the One who perfects our faith. Looking at the One who set aside pride, comfort, even fair treatment in favor of greater joys in God's presence. Looking at the One who endured hostility so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. How hard can that be? Well, actually pretty hard when you realize that it runs contrary to just about every natural (sinful) inclination you have. Make Jesus your mindset and see how your views change. Now ... run like that.

Perhaps now it becomes more reasonable when Paul says, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil 3:8). And, to the extent that we do not see Christ as the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we do not see Christ as the example, do not see Christ as the entire point of our existence, to that extent we will find that setting aside sin and running with endurance will be very, very difficult.

How are you running? Keeping up okay? Perhaps you're not looking in the right direction. Today would be a good day to start.