The apostle Paul energetically describes in in his letter to the Hebrews a race [ Hebrews 12:1-11], not a contest, but a course; to be run. If you’re running this race, and I hope you’ve chosen to do so, let’s look closer at the course and obstacles that lie ahead. First at what the race is, a closer look at the goal. Lets look at the course, where are we on this course and how do we progress closer to the goal. While you choose to run this race; you will run into obstacles that are specifically tailored to slow you down, ones that are only for you and they will be exceptionally difficult. How you run the race, your speed and stride, is up to you. You are not alone. If you are running this race you will never be alone, while you persue God towards the goal of his Love you will be running alongside others, and you will be accompanied by the Holy Spirit always. As I start this project of outlining the race I will work to examine the obstacles and share our experiences in how to overcome them. Running together we also smooth the course by multiplying our most cherished resource, Love.
The race is designed for those who believe in Jesus. The starting point of this race is always belief. At some point in your life hope that you have heard and understand that Jesus died on a cross, that he did so willingly, and that three days later he rose from the dead. Once you hear that story you’ve got really two choices, to dismiss it, or to believe it. If you believe that Jesus died for a reason, for his own reason, and that he rose from the dead; then you have started to have faith in Jesus. Through faith you recognize his power and the fact that he gave up his life so that others could harm him, and he did that for a reason. So that you, when you believe, would lean in and start asking questions about who he was and why he did what he did. So that you would have the chance to run the race. Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross the things you have done wrong in the past can be forgiven and you are given the opportunity to move forward, in grace, towards the goal.