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Hebrews 12:1-3

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Every morning during training camp we were given the option/opportunity to take the initiative on living a healthy life style. This meant that the mornings of training camp started before the sun came out with people running, walking, dancing, and participating in all other kinds of shenanigans. I loved it! Well I mean I sort of loved it. There were days I wanted to sleep in. Ok, there were days that I did sleep in… only one, don’t judge.

So when I get home, I am PUMPED. This healthy lifestyle is going to become MY lifestyle I have determined. Yes sir, I am going to get up at 6:30 and RUN! Not every day because it doesn’t work with my schedule of course, but at LEAST three days out of my week, if not four. The first day comes and I pull myself out of bed. And even though it is windy and just a little bit freezing cold, I run! The second day comes and I pull myself out of bed. And even though it’s even more freezing cold, I run! Well… I attempt to run.

I get about halfway through this running business and all of a sudden my side is cramping and aching like someone just stabbed me. Hmmm… what do I do with this??  Suddenly God brings the previously posted verse to mind. And I begin to think, ok God I know I’m supposed to run this race marked out for me. But what happens when I get side-aches? What happens when I am so tired that all my focus is consumed by the pain in my body? What then?

Of course this doesn’t just apply to the physical. I then wonder about the moments in my life where I have felt a ‘side-ache’ so badly that I have not wanted to continue. I think about my sophomore year of college when I spent many of my days not caring about anything and not wanting to be around people. I just sort of quit. Or I think about those days that I don’t really want to get up and live my life normally, I just want to sleep or do nothing that day. Those days are representative to me of days that I must run with perseverance. But what does that look like?

It’s funny because I really like to have all the answers. But for this one, I’m not so sure there is a simple answer. I think that the ‘us’ portion of these verses offers a huge clue. We were not designed to run this race by ourselves. We must have someone by our side to help us up when we fall. We must be there to speak words of encouragement and life when the person next to us wants to quit. And we need those words of life when we simply want to topple over instead of keep running.

 
I also think that the ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus’ portion offers a second yet no less important clue to how to continue running when I feel that I cannot. When I run I often find myself looking at my feet or even my shadow to check out if my form is correct. When I am focusing on my feet I am aware of how hard my heart is pumping and how much my legs are hurting. But the times when I choose to lift my eyes to the goal of what is straight ahead of me, I feel myself running smoother with a greater sense of purpose. Is this too what it looks like to run with perseverance? Does it mean that I lift my eyes… not just to the mountains but to the Maker of Heaven and Earth who does not slumber and will not let my foot slip? (Psalm 121)

So I guess the question is… will I be the person who lets others in? Will I be willing to run with and shout encouragement to those who are running this race as well? And will I lift my eyes and claim the promises that are offered me?