"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Many years ago, when I was fat and couldn't run to save my life, I used to race my nephew's dad, who was in awesome shape. He would let me stay ahead until the very end, and then he would smoke me, just when I finally thought I'd beat him. One thing he always said to me was "It's not where you start out, it's where you end up." That's something we need to take to heart in our relationship with God. Discouragement will come and go, but it's what we do when that time comes that makes the difference. Many times I don't feel like praying or reading the Word, but I do it anyways, because love is a committment, not a 'feeling'.
Tonight I've been helping my roommate study for a test for his Western Religions class, which surprise, surprise, is about Christianity. It was a blessing beyond words to be able to talk about God in the open like that with him, and it's awesome to see how fascinated he is by God and Christianity (even if he hates the way the class is taught, which I understand). To see proof in front of me that my prayers are being answered is just the kind of encouragement I need (not that it was my doing, God is the one giving!).
Remember always what Jesus says to Peter, "Do you Love Me?...Tend My sheep." (John 21:16). Jesus could have said, "Don't fail Me" or "You better have a perfect track record". But He didn't, so we must stick to showing and attaining love in our actions, knowing that when our race is fully run, our faith will finally be perfect. Amen.
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1 comment:
cute and awesome
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