Running on Empty

Hebrews 12:1b-2 "...., and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

When I joined the military in 1999 I wasn't in the best shape and running was not my best event. The first few distance runs almost killed me because I had no training, no consistency, no motivation, and no endurance. If you have ever started a new running program then you know that you have to persevere through the first couple of weeks until your mind and body become conditioned. In the begining, I only focused on the pain, shortness of breath, distance, others passing me, and my lackluster run time. When my eyes were "fixed" on the discomfort and discontentment that I associated with running, my mind would tell me to slow down or even quit and my body would listen. It became a struggle to persevere through the pain and the pressure. Once I developed a little endurance and took my focus off of the negative aspects of running I began to run longer distances. Through persitence, determination, and endurance I embraced a new found joy for running because I no longer focused on the problems, the pain, or the pressure but on the "goal" of becoming physically fit.

In this passage Paul compares the Christian way of life to running a race. What we have to understand is that in order for us to become "Spiritually fit", we must persevere through many problems, times of pressure, and great pains. If we "fix" our eyes on these things then we will hinder our progress, slow down, or just quit running. But if we "fix" our eyes on the "goal"which is Jesus Christ, then we develop endurance and consider every step of the race a joy. James 1:3-4 says "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." Endurance is gained through the consistent training of learning and applying God's word. When we apply truth to experience our focus shifts from the trials of life and we "fix our eyes" on the author and perfector of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Stop focusing on the pains, problems, and pressures of life and start focusing on the Perfector of life. He makes every step of the race a joy and you will become "Spiritually fit", being able to endure and enjoy the plan and purpose for the "race" that He has set before you.