“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 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 was thinking about how the village in the desert was more of what I expected the race to be and how my race has been completely different than what I imagined. I’m not where I wanted to be at this point. But here’s the thing: you make your own race. And I want these next few months to be the most transforming in growth for me. I don’t want to waste it.
I want to be wrecked by what I see. I want to be doubly changed and doubly grown from where I am now until the end of the race. I want to guzzle everything the Race has to offer. Which means it’s gonna hurt. Badly.
I dreamed last night that a girl I knew was getting married, and that she had gotten a job to make her rich and famous. In the dream, I prayed to God that I would never have those blessings because I wanted to keep needing Him.
He’s not through with me yet. I want to grow exponentially, which means that there will be growing pains. I am going to act like I really am in Christ. I am going to love. And I am going to bleed, and feel it, and accept it. Hurt is a part of life and it’s not worth numbing the joy to be rid of it.
I will not run my race in vain.
“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24-27
” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Please pray for me, that I will be changed like crazy. And pray that His strength will be sufficient for me to endure it and thrive.
-Brenna
