This morning we looked at Hebrews 12:1-3 in light of the Olympic Games currently happening in Paris. Running features frequently in the Olympics, but we are reminded in these verses that life is more like a marathon than a sprint, and what is required to run well are the three Ps:
- Preparation
- Perseverance
- Perspective
Preparation
Athletes need to prepare well for races; they have to practise day-in, day-out. They must run unencumbered; we are urged to ‘throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.’ Just as athletes have to watch what they eat and drink and say no to many good things in order to devote themselves to their sport, we have to get rid of anything which may distract us from God and count ourselves dead to sin. (Romans 6:11-14). Denial of self and self-discipline are essential parts of discipleship (Mark 8:34, 1 Cor 9: 25-27).
Perseverance
Perseverance is required in sporting success; we have to keep going, no matter what. This is especially seen in marathon running, when athletes often ‘hit the wall’ and feel too weak to continue. We need ‘huponome’, that stickability which will keep us fuelled at all times; we need to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18) so we can keep our spiritual fervour without burning out.
Perspective
Athletes train so rigorously and run with perseverance because they have their eyes on the finish line, on the gold medal, on the prize. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith; the Message version of these verses tells us ‘Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.’ We have to have an eternal perspective if we are going to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We have to understand that ‘what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’ (2 Cor 4:18) We have to truly believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Heb 11:6) We have to grasp that we are part of an eternal story, that our short time on earth is part of something much greater than ourselves. When we look at Jesus and study His life, we see that He kept going, right to the cross, and we see how He did this: ‘He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honour.’ Even Jesus could have given up before the finish line, but He looked beyond the shame and ignominy of death on the cross to our salvation.
May God give us the strength and determination to keep on running with perseverance the race marked out for us so that we may reach the finish line and hear His commendation: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ (Matt 25:21)