Stay on Mission – 18th February 2018

1. Keep on running!
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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew2 12:1-3
When we do as the writer to the Hebrews says and ‘throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles’ we are then able to do the next thing: run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
It is so difficult to run when carrying heavy a heavy load or if our legs are tangled up. But running is very possible when we are free from these things and so the writer says ‘run with perseverance’. Staying on mission with Jesus is not a sprint, it is a marathon that lasts a life time. As we live our lives, things happen, life presents obstacles and challenges and it is often tempting to slow down, to walk and then to stop. These challenges come to all of us and if we allow them to, they will result in us being ineffective at joining Jesus in His Mission. Our lives will not show His transforming power and our passion will diminish because we will forget that, because of who Jesus is, we are living victorious lives. So, run with perseverance, run through the pain, breathe more deeply but keep on running.
The next words are a great encouragement to me, we are to run ‘the race marked out for us’. These words remind me of Paul’s encouraging words in the letter to the Ephesians:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph2:10
God want to use us, He has a purpose for each one of us. He has a purpose that is designed specifically for you!
He knows that it is not easy and that you sometimes find it easier to give up than to keep on. In spite of the times that you and I have failed Him He has not given up on you or me. He still wants to work out His purposes in and through us, He wants us to keep on running and achieve all that He intends as we make progress, do good works, and fulfil the mission of Jesus ‘to seek and to save what was lost’.
This week, I encourage you, however tired or defeated you may feel, to take the first step and begin to run – He has the race marked out, He will be with you – Just run!
Dennis