Our Christian life is a race. It is not one in which we will someday
participate - we are in a race already. In that race we will not be sidelined, nor
are there any withdrawals; we are in it to the end. Since we are in it to the end, we might as
well run so as to win the prize (Phi.3:14)!
When I was struggling along running the Comrades Marathon,
there was a certain stretch, called Harrison Flats, that was very depressing: my
body was suffering, thoughts of bailing out were frequent, and there were very
few spectators to cheer the runners on.
So I took to running signposts: I would say, “Just to the next sign…just
to the next big tree…just…”, until I had made it through. In the race of life we sometimes have to look
out for the signposts, signposts of hope.
Remember the
witnesses (12:1). Remember all those
who have gone before and all that has happened before. There is so much we can learn from others who
have been through it all. Through many
trials and hardships I am thankful that there have been people that have been
through similar trials and have helped me through mine (cf. 2Cor.1:3-4).
Run lightly. Lay aside the burden of sin, which so easily
wears us out; the “dissipation and
drunkenness and cares of this life” (Lk.21:34); the “anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language” (Col.3:8). These burdens affect our endurance and diminish
our hope. The race is long, so run it
lightly!
Consider Jesus (12:2-3). Look to His life, death, resurrection and ascension
as the source of our hope. He has gone
before us; He has made the way. He did
it for the joy the Father set before Him, so perhaps we should consider the joy
set before us (joy is the one thing given to us that we will be allowed to take
into heaven (Jude 24)). He is the author
and perfecter and our hope is secure because He started it and He will finish
it.
Embrace discipline (12:4-11). Endurance trials are a reminder that we are
God’s children. It can be painful at the
time, but a source of comfort if we would just consider it.
Rise up (12:12-13). Hope lifts us; it drags us up by our
bootstraps. Too much introspection
causes spiritual weariness and discouragement.
We must have a strong and confident hope which breeds courage for those
who struggle. We are called to “build
up” (Eph.4:16) - to be on the up, not always on a downer.
Live aright (12:14-17). “See to
it”. A good relationship with God
and men increases the joy of hope. We
must help one another to live rightly as mutual supervision stimulates spiritual
health. This is often an area that
modern Christianity shies away from, in case we are accused of legalism, but it
is important that we learn to take up our collective pastoral duty. How does it help with hope? Watching out for each other helps us to
remember that we’re not in it alone!
Refocus on God
(12:18-24). We serve a God who is a
festal God, one who delights in us. He
is not the “nasty” God, the wrathful tyrant.
There is no hope in fear, but knowledge of a God who delights in us
increases our hope of seeing Him.
Receive gratefully
(12:25-28). What should we receive that
increases our hope? The Word - listen to
the Lord - and the Kingdom. Living with continual thanksgiving in our hearts
(and from our lips) helps us when our reserves of hope begin to dwindle.
Reverently worship
(12:28-29). Hope comes with reverence
and awe, because of who God is. We must
let Him inspire our hope. We endure because of Him, not because we feel good.
Our hope is the crown of righteousness (2Tim.4:7-8) - the joy of
right-standing with God for ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment