[Ascend] - Day 12

“Keep Running”

Read 

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 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.

Reflection

Going deeper means laying down everything that hinders us from running the race set before us. The metaphor of running the race is the Christian life. To run with endurance implies that our “walk” with the Lord is not a sprint but a marathon that requires dedication, determination, and discipline. To faithfully live, we must do away with anything that can weigh us down or trip us up on our way. This means we not only turn away from our sins but also any past hurts and wounds that handicap us from going forward. Looking back while running makes you lose speed and also disorients you when you turn back around, losing track of the finish line. We are able to move on from our past because we have the One who has gone before us and is leading us to where we need to go. We look toward Jesus, the One who completes our faith. We remain steadfast not because of the greatness of our faith but because of the One to whom our faith points towards. Our faith to endure comes from Jesus, who ran the ultimate race of enduring the cross for our sin and shame.

Pray

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything and everything that is hindering us from running with endurance. The Lord will heal, forgive, deliver us with His gentleness to steer us on course.

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