Nougat 11

Despite my roots, I am not very physically coordinated and running is not my forte. Well, no form of athletics is, for that matter. Funny enough I’m often around aficionados, so occasionally their jargon comes my way. Today’s Holy Nougat takes me back to the Olympics, and to the Diamond League.

“Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also get rid of every weight and entangling sin. Let us run with endurance the race set before us,”

Hebrews 12:1 TLV

Running with endurance is often perceived of as a marathon; but truth be told; it takes preparation of endurance levels to have the advantage in every race. We have seen the various feats of the global athletic teams as they compete for medals. Their skeletal frame attests to the hard work they put in. Many have lived lives of exercises to get to and to maintain muscle mass needed for their event. And in many instances, the proof is there in their qualifying.

Sometimes despite all the fine training, an athlete sustains injuries. This may end their career, their season or be a minor setback. To gain competitive strength, the injured person takes challenges such as weightlifting, adding just a little more difficulty or resistance or running a little faster or further. What we often don’t see is the psychological aspect of their lives. Many manage to cope, but some don’t; losing confidence at the first sign of loss or failure.

Siblings in Christ; from the moment that we consciously say ‘Yes’ to God’s Spirit; it is a race to the end. For, although Jesus has become the propitiation for us; we must remain in the Faith until our final breath this side of eternity. And that’s where endurance comes in. For, we have to build strength mentally and spiritually; first to overcome temptation (of our former lifestyle); and also to withstand and overcome the trials that come our way.

In many cases, we have setbacks. Like our earthly athletic heroes; we don’t give up. Rather, we engage in rehab; spending time in God’s Word Gym, to build resistance to sin and temptation. We also work with our Personal Trainer in prayer to keep us going even when we falter.

Emotionally, we also have to push ourselves to prevent relapses or keep us going in Faith come what may. It is too easy to give up; to succumb to feelings of failure when we mess up. But we have Hope. We find strength to overcome the impact of life through our application of God’s Word, the power of God’s Spirit within as well as the knowledge that others have been before us. We discount the negativity and allow Jesus’ promises to restore our spirits.

Our races are individual; though our goal is the same. Let’s run with endurance our individual race to receive the prize; life in fullness.

Thanks

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May all we seek be found in Christ