November 28 2011

Enjoy the Run
 
Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2,  1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I remember when I was in 6th grade, our varsity baseball team was heading out to practice and I got to go with them that day. The baseball team usually practiced on a field a few miles down the road. On the way there, everyone walked but, after practice, the coach had the team to run back to the school. Well, I thought it was fantastic because I would be running with them, almost as if I was really practicing with the varsity baseball team. How cool was that? I ran and ran, like most kids who can run almost all day. A lot of the baseball team couldn’t keep running the whole way but I was so excited to be with them, I wasn’t even thinking about it. After we got back, the baseball coach was so impressed he asked me if I wanted to be on the varsity cross country team. I was ecstatic! We got to the first cross country meet and, there was no feeling of being ecstatic, it was cold, it was rainy, it was muddy and I couldn’t keep running. I came in dead last, in fact, I think they got a little concerned that I got lost in the woods that we had to run through. To say the least, I was not asked back. The same has held true over time… running sprints and laps in practice is grueling but put a ball in front of me and I could run for a couple hours. Why? It’s the mindset… because with a ball, its fun… just running is work. Running with the varsity team was exciting… running in the rain, mud and cold was work. Men, our race in life is the exact same way, we are to keep our eyes on Christ who actually found joy in the race that He had to run and it was a lot worse than rain, mud or cold. Yet, He found joy in it. I have a feeling no matter what happens today we can find joy in our life race. And, guess what? I can guarantee that it will not be as difficult because you, not only get to run with the varsity (“the cloud of witnesses”), you get to run with the King.

How can you find joy in your race today?



 

End of the Day Review
  
Were you able to find joy in your race, if so, how?
 
 
What impact did finding the joy in your race make in your life today?