It was beautiful out this morning, so when I got to the farm I was looking forward to giving Major, Daisy and Mosby a nice run behind the truck. That’s a ritual we enjoy together almost every day that the ground is dry enough to drive on. We usually go a mile or two on the gravel roads here at Mr. Titus’ place and we all love it. And today was a sunny day in early spring, one of the warmest days we’ve had this year.
In fact, it was a little too warm. Old Major was moving a little more slowly than usual. He’s not yet used to the warm temperature we’re having today. While Daisy raced and Mosby galloped, Major just trotted along and conserved his energy.
Life can be that way for people, too. We gallop along in our daily race, having a good time and enjoying the exercise. But sometimes we get a little hotter than we’re used to, and it becomes a tough job just to keep on. Maybe the problem is opposition from other people. Maybe somebody is making fun of you because you’re not as good at something as somebody else is. Maybe you’re having a hard time resisting the temptation to do things you know are wrong. Maybe you’re just not feeling well today.
Hebrews 12:1 is a good verse for the tough times. It reminds us that we’re not in the race alone. It says: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” The witnesses it’s talking about are the heroes of the faith we’ve just read about in Chapter 11.
It seems to be saying that believers from past ages are watching as we live our daily lives and rooting for us as we fight the good fight of faith. Hebrews 11 mentions Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Gideon, David and many more. Isn’t it great to think that you have them in your cheering section? I’ll bet you also have faithful grandparents or great-grandparents in heaven too, looking down and rooting for you in your race.
Endurance is a great character quality. The next verse, Hebrews 12:2, says that Jesus “endured” the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him—the knowledge that He would soon conquer sin, provide for our salvation and return to the side of His heavenly Father. Let’s ask for grace to endure as Jesus did!
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