"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." ~~ HEBREWS 10:35-36

"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

When Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run with endurance, the implication is that we are going to face hardships and suffering. We sprint though many seasons—periods that are beautiful, times when we hurt, and days when the track turns abruptly. We must face each season with steadfast determination to complete the race.

God understands that we will stumble and falter. We do not need to finish our race perfectly; we do, however, need to achieve His purpose for us. When we are on course to fulfill God's specific plan, then our life is full and meaningful.

Running with endurance means that we are diligently watching for entanglements. When we allow Satan to get a toehold in our life, then we take a step off the track and can soon find ourselves mired in mud. Unlike encumbrances, which are habits or attitudes that slow us down, entanglements are sins that can stop us altogether. But we are to treat the two the same, asking the Lord to identify what an entanglement would look like for us and then relying upon Him to help us avoid it.

We know that we can trust God to help us because He has provided a running companion. Jesus Christ is ensuring that we never run alone. He is always one step ahead to show us the way and one step behind to pick us up when we fall. He is also running at our side, encouraging and cheering us on. Are you tripping in your race? Start fixing your eyes upon Jesus so that you can live to the fullest and finish well.




By Charles Stanley

In Touch Ministries