Day 9 | Running the Race

“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Pastor Charlie ended his sermon on sloth by reminding us of God's beautiful invitation to live the life we were meant to live. This aligns perfectly with the image in Hebrews of running the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. The author of Hebrews encourages us to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."

In the context of our discussion on sloth, this includes throwing off the apathy, fear, misplaced busyness, and pride that keep us from fully engaging in God's call on our lives. It's an active process of identifying and removing these obstacles. The key to overcoming sloth and running our race well is found in the latter part of the verse - "fixing our eyes on Jesus."

The sermon emphasizes that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the command to love God and love others. He is our example and the source of our strength. By focusing on Him, we're reminded of the love that motivates our obedience and the power available to us to overcome our slothful tendencies.

Remember, your worth is not measured by how well you maximize your potential or how busy you are. Your worth is measured by God's labor for you - the work of Christ on the cross. This evaluation frees us from the need to prove ourselves and allows us to run our race from a place of security in God's love.

As we conclude our devotions for this week, let's commit to actively engaging in the life God has called us to. Let's throw off sloth in all its forms and run with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. In doing so, we'll experience the joy, freedom, and purpose that come from living the life we were created for.

Ask yourself

What "hindrances" or "entangling sins" do I need to throw off to run my race more effectively? 

How can I practically, "fix my eyes on Jesus" in my daily life?

What's one step I can take today to more fully engage in the life God is calling me to?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the race You've marked out for me. Help me to throw off everything that hinders - the apathy, fear, and pride that so easily entangle me. Give me the perseverance to run well, keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus. Thank You that my worth is found in Your love for me, not in my performance. Empower me by Your Spirit to live the life You've created me for, experiencing the joy and purpose that come from following You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' name, Amen.