Run The Race

Dave Shepardson

Jun 11, 2014 • 2 min read

Hebrews 12:1–2 (nlt) — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith . . .
Philippians 3:12–14 (nlt) — 12 . . . I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 . . . I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Lord Jesus, so many have gone before me. So many faithful, and so many not faithful. There is a huge crowd of witnesses of the faithful. But there is a longer list of those who have not been faithful, who have not endured, who have tired and given up, or have been taken out of the race.
Help me Lord to throw off every weight and every sin that would so easily trip me up, and give me strength to run the race that you have set before me, until the very end. I know Lord, the only way I’ll be able to do it is to keep my eyes firmly fixed on you. You initiated my faith, you are perfecting my faith. All the strength, direction, and peace I need for this race comes from you, from my daily relationship with you. Please keep me close to you Lord, walk me through the valleys and across the mountain tops. It’s not where I am that’s important, it’s that you are with me. It’s your presence I need, in every situation.
And so I press on Lord, to possess that which you have possessed me for. I know I am far from it, but I’m focused on it Lord. I’m focused on you. I release the past to you and allow your grace to cover it, and I look forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race, to reach the finish line in your presence. To receive the heavenly reward that you have called me to. I see you Lord, at the finish line cheering me on. Help my eyes to never be distracted from you. I’ll see you there Lord. I will be with you there. You are my reward. In your precious Name, amen.

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