Running the Race

If you are familiar with track and field events, then you're familiar when, at the beginning of a race, the announcer says to the runners, "on your marks, get set, GO". Saints, that's where we are right now. We're at the beginning of the Race. I'm sure many of us have been on the Journey for quite some time. But understand, the Journey that many of us have been on has been primarily for Preparation. In most sports, there's a Training Period, where the players simulate, if you will, the real games (pre-season games, scrimmages, etc.). But there comes a time where the practices and the exhibition games cease; it's time to get down to business. And that's where we are in the Spirit realm. It's time to get set for Running the Race.

The scripture says in Hebrews 12, "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". If you're going to be ready for Running the Race, there are some things you're going to have to lay aside. Whatever things are "weighing you down", you're going to have to let it go. For some of us it's relationships. For some of us it's the stress of our jobs. For some of us it's the frustration with our families. For others it may even be disappointment and maybe even disgust in our churches. Whatever it is saints, you've got to let it go. You can't afford to let it continue to weigh you down and stress you out. You won't be fit for Running the Race.

Then we've got to lay aside the Sin. Many of us have certain sins that seem to "easily beset us". What is a challenge for one person may not be as challenging to another. But whatever your "sin challenge" may be, now is the time to let it go. We're moving into a Season where Holiness and Righteousness are imperative and a prerequisite for participation in this Kingdom Movement. Yes, God's Grace is always sufficient, and we will always have an Advocate with the Father when we sin (1John 2). But remember what Peter says in the first chapter of his first epistle, "wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance". There was a time when God, if I can say it like this, would let us "get away" with certain sins; primarily because of our ignorance (Acts 17). But not anymore! Jesus died not just to forgive us for our sins but to purge us from our sins as well (Titus 2). If we're going to be fit for Running the Race, we've got to lay aside our sin.

Lastly, if we're going to endure in Running the Race, we have to have Patience. This is not a sprint, it is a Spiritual Marathon. There are a lot of things that God is working out behind the scenes on our behalf that we have no clue about. That's why we've got to learn to Run the Race with Patience. Abraham inherited the Promises of God through Faith and Patience (Hebrews 6). Some of us, even in regards to the things of God, are in too much of a rush. And if you're not careful, you're going to rush yourself right out of your Blessing. Be Patient. Wait on God. He's got everything under control. At His Appointed Time the Divine Plan will be manifested. But in the meantime, we've got to make sure that we're staying focused and prepared for Running the Race.