"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" (Hebrews 12:1).
Today is one day I would really rather be somewhere else. If I had my rathers I would sure be in the Boston area for the 112th running of the Boston Marathon. Twenty thousand runners will begin the race in Hopkinton, Massachusetts on this beautiful Monday morning. And approximately 500,000 spectators will line the 26.2 mile course all along the route and the finish line will be packed in downtown Boston. I know that personally since Brooksyne, Ester and I have been there! Although we didn't know a single runner we could still honor them as they completed the race and really get the sense that each one was a winner, even those stumbling in hours later.
Each of us is running in a race as well; life's marathon. I am so thankful that there's not just one winner in the race we are running. Everyone who finishes is a winner. As we run life's race we are surrounded by scores of fellow runners who witness our endurance and persistence. These are the ones who've gone before us and completed the race.
They are not like the vast majority who will view the Marathon today though they never ran in one. Instead our witnesses could say, "Been there, done that!” Joshua pronounces, "My family and I chose to serve the Lord!" Daniel speaks up, "As a young man I purposed in my heart to live God's way!" Paul joyfully declares, "I counted all loss and I finished the race!" Stephen, in perpetual rejoicing, sees the Lord on His Throne. And our Lord Jesus, who also ran this race victoriously proclaims, "I did all that my Father asked of me."
Witnesses include completers throughout the history of the church; some well-known, so many, many others known only by their generational peers. I gain spiritual inspiration by realizing my parents are among these witnesses, as is my first pastor as a born-again Christian, James Howard. I gain inspiration as I consider a growing group of brothers and sisters I’ve known personally who have crossed the finish line. Jim Lutton, a close friend of ours, who was called home early is among them. (If they have humor in heaven he's right in the middle stirring it up.) In my spirit I can almost hear them all crying out, "Come on Stephen, you can make it, stay faithful, it's incredible up here!"
We are also surrounded by scores of fellow runners still in the race. Look around you today! What a great blessing they are. Count me in as one of these runners. We're not in competition; we are in this together and we need each other. Let’s encourage one another as we run this spiritual marathon together. Let's keep running, believers! Let us indeed run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, we recognize that our endurance and persistence are attitudes derived from a faith-filled life with You. Our endurance is realized by continuing this race though others may drop out making us feel like we run alone. Our persistence is marked by our determination to finish the race though struggles weigh us down and doubts cloud our vision of the finish line. Thank You for marking the race out for us by showing us the great examples of those who cheer us on as we participate in this Christian race. They finished their race on earth through their enduring faith, though they experienced opposition from sinful men. We endure hardships and struggles as discipline from You, our loving Father, that we may share in Your holiness. We look forward to the harvest of righteousness and peace that comes as a result of our persistence in this spiritual marathon. Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees as we repent of the sin that entangles us. We lay aside everything that drags us down or tempts us to give up. We persist in the name of Jesus Christ for the heavenly finish line, amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
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