I'm in a race?

          I know a lady who sends me emails quite often and they always contain some spiritual thought which is an encouragement to me. She recently wrote that she had been drawn to a specific passage of Scripture and it is one of the pillars of Scripture if there be any such thing. While every verse is profitable, some have great messages of hope for the reader. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

         Chapter eleven of the Book of Hebrews listed a number of famous Biblical people who were examples of people who were faithful to God. It doesn't say that they were all perfect in their actions but the final evaluation of each person serves us to be an example of what it is to be standing firm in your faith. Hebrews 12 begins with that word, “Wherefore.” The Apostle Paul did the same thing in Romans 12 when he wrote, “I beseech you 'therefore.'” It always refers back to something before it. The passage for today refers back to those “witnesses” from chapter eleven. Then, we are reminded of “The Author.” This refers to the “Author and finisher of our faith.” There is no doubt as to Who that is as it refers specifically to the event on Calvary's cross were the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. He paid the price. It was an event that was more shameful than we can ever imagine. I recall when I inadvertently used swear word in front of my parents and one of the phrases that I heard back was, “Shame on you!” Yes, I was shamed by what I had done but my shame can never come close to the shame that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered in the arrest, trials and crucifixion. The King of Kings was shamed. The Lord of Lords was shamed yet He endured the cross for all the sins of the world. This includes yours and mine. When we feel just a tad down in life or under a lot of pressure to perform before others, let us remember the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, He is the Author and He is also the Finisher. We are further reminded of this fact in Philippians 1:6. We are reminded in this verse that God will “perform” the work and it means to finish, or to accomplish, or to do. Yes, He will complete each and every project that is underway in all of our lives. We are a part of that work. Now, the first verse of today's passage gives us our orders. Because of these witnesses, we are to put aside every weight and the sin which hinders us. Our lives are part of the biggest race in which we will ever run. You can't opt out of this race and you can't stop and be a spectator. Your last breath will be your last lap in this race. Then, you will be ushered into the presence of the Lord for all eternity. What a joy that will be when My Savior's face I shall see. Praise God for His Son, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.