We are Surrounded by Spectators

"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." Hebrews 12:1 NLT

In a story published yesterday by CBS Chicago News titled, "Chicago Marathon runners may notice some course changes this year" the writer said: Let the stretching and carbo-loading begin. Chicago Marathon runners are lacing up and getting ready to head out for their big race on Sunday. Bib-pickup began on Thursday for a run that CBS 2's Lauren Victory learned will look different this year in more ways than one. Organizers said they're always making tweaks to the course. One of the big changes this year includes participants running down Wentworth, all the way until 33rd Street. Racers are cutting east and heading down 26th street to Michigan Avenue. Previously, cruising down Wentworth took runners along the Dan Ryan. They'd pass under viaducts in an area that often struggled to attract spectators. This year, the path takes racers down Michigan Avenue in Bronzeville. This is great news for those runners who know how encouraging it can be to be surrounded by spectators. 

And you know, when it comes to being surrounded by an encouraging crowd, the writer of Hebrews pictured the previous champions of the faith as spectators from the heavens cheering us on in our race, encouraging us to keep pressing on no matter the hardships in our path, to strip "off every weight that slows us down" and to "run with endurance the race God has set before us" just as they did. This is quite an encouraging vision considering that these "champions" faced the same things we face (or will face) and remained faithful until the end. We would do well to consider and heed their examples when we feel like giving up then, knowing that they received an imperishable crown for their efforts and we will too if we don't lose heart. 

So think carefully about the way these superheroes of the faith lived before making the decision to compromise or quit my friend. Draw strength from their stories knowing that if the Lord gave them the power to overcome the obstacles in their way that He can do the same for you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible that gives us the stories of so many rockstars of the faith. Lord, compel us to read them and to commit them to memory so that we can draw strength from them when we want to bow out of the race. Cause us to remember that You are the same God now that You were then and that the same power You placed within them to overcome, is the same power that lives in us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!