RUN THE RACE!

These days there seems to be a spirit of individualism in the air – people are talking a lot about “your path”, “your way”, and even “your truth”. It seems that they have drawn into themselves, shut the world and those around them out – and are focused on only themselves. Sounds to me like selfishness!

We live in a world of community. We are not islands --- we are not all alone – unless you live in a totally isolated place – and who lives there? We work and live around people. We interact daily with others. We are called to community. Cain complained to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” That question didn’t settle with God, did it.

Even in the church world, people are isolating themselves – pulling away. Thanks to COVID, we have had to be “sheltered in place” –and many are not coming back together out of fear. They are choosing to run this race by themselves.

We just watched athletes from around the world, line up on a track --- and they ran side by side for whatever distance their race was set for --- but note – they had their lane, but they did not have their own track – and they ran many times neck and neck to the finish line.

We are in a race called life. We are headed for a finish line. You are not alone --- look to your right and left – you are running with and by someone else. Track racers are motivated by those around them to run even faster – try even harder!

Christian – look around – you need that other person near you. Run by them – run with them – encourage them next to you --- you can’t make it by yourself. You were not made to run this life alone.

The Hebrew writer said this (Hebrews 12:1). 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,

Notice the two things to lay aside: (1) every weight (unnecessary things in your life that will hinder you and slow you down), and (2) the sin which easily besets --- what sin hinders you? – Pride, Unforgiveness, Selfishness…...the list can go on …. You ask God to show you what is “besetting” you.

Run the Race – and Run with Grace – but don’t forget that you are not on your own – look around – you are running alongside others – onward to the finish line!!