Irvin Wasswa-Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
One of the most iconic movies of the 90s decade was the movie Forrest Gump. The movies portrays the history of the United States through the eyes of a man named Forrest Gump. Growing up, Forrest had a few physical disabilities which forced him to wear braces on his legs. He was often mocked and teased for having them. During one of the scenes, while hanging out with his friend Jenny, his bullies began picking on him by throwing rocks at him. Jenny tells him to run away so he wouldn’t get beat up. He begins to take off and his bullies begin chasing him on their bikes. When he takes off, he is only able to waddle across the road due to the braces on his legs. However, as he continued across the road something incredible happened: His braces began to break off his legs and he was able to run away full speed from the evil bullies. All the while his friend Jenny is screaming “Run, Forrest Run!”
Did you know that the scripture compares our relationship with God to a race? Now, it is not a race against each other, it is the race of faith. God has placed all of us in our own race, and the call for us is to run the race with endurance! This race is not a sprint; it is an endurance. However, the call is to be able to run it fully. What the writer of Hebrews mentions here is that if we as Christians are able to run this faith race fully, there are things we need to take place in our life.
First off, there are some things we have got to lay aside. Just as Forrest shed his braces, there are some things in our life we’ve got to shed as well. The writer of Hebrews mentions that we have to lay aside the sin that trips us up. As a child of God we can do that, because we have been freed from sin’s tyrannical rule. Praise be to God for sending His Son Jesus Christ to come, shed His blood on a cross, and then raise three days later.
Secondly, we have to lay aside the weights of our life. Now this isn’t necessarily talking about sin. These weights can refer to good things in our life, but that serve as hindrances in your walk with God. These speak of possessions, jobs, hobbies, even family. Listen, all of those things are great, but when they take the place of Jesus as Ruler of your life, they become weights which hinder you from fully running the race of faith.
Lastly, the call for us to run this faith race is to keep our eyes on Jesus. When life gets tough, when temptation gets heavy, when you feel like quitting this whole following Jesus thing, look to Jesus! Keep your eyes on Him. The One who endured the cross for you and I is the same One who gives us the power to continue to run the race of faith. So look to Him! Spend time with Him daily in prayer and in His word. For it is through Him that we have faith and are in a relationship with God, and it is through Him we grow and mature!
Let me give you the same encouragement Jenny gave Forrest: Run Christian, RUN! Lay aside those weights and those sins that are hindering you from running this race of faith with all you have, all the while looking to King Jesus who humbly came to die so that we could have life in His name.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love! Thank you for putting me in this race of faith. Reveal to me the weights and sins that are keeping me from running hard after You. I lay those things down at your feet. Help me to keep my eyes on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.