Daily Scripture: Hebrews 12:1 So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment — that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement — and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, 2 looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting,[Hebrews 12:2 Habakkuk 2:4] Yeshua — who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.[Hebrews 12:2 Psalm 110:1] 3 Yes, think about him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you won’t grow tired or become despondent.
Reflection Questions:
At one point, Coach White told his cross-country racers, “We’re going to get to the point where when we see a hill, we smile!” In Hebrews 12, the writer used images from the Greek Olympic Games, and urged believers to run the entire race set before them with endurance. The key to Christian spiritual stamina, the letter said, is fixing our eyes on Jesus. We need to set aside anything that hinders us, and keep our inner focus always on Jesus, who endured even the cross for our sake.
- Scholar Raymond Brown wrote, “In the course of the race the eyes of every Christian athlete must be directed firmly and continually on the Lord Jesus himself. The word used here (aphorōntes)…indicates the action of one who, aware of rival attractions, deliberately looks away from other things. This runner must keep his eyes ‘fixed on Jesus,’ not only at the start of the race, but constantly during the whole struggle.” What helps you to keep your focus on Jesus at every stage of your Christian journey?
- Is it possible for even good activities to become so numerous and demanding in your life that you end up running your race in a distracted fashion? All of our calendars can so easily overflow with good things. How do you choose priorities and keep your life focused, rather than being randomly overwhelmed even with good things?
Today’s Prayer:
Lord God, you’ve called me, not to a quick dash, but to what Pastor Eugene Peterson called “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” As I assess my life priorities, change my heart to focus more and more on you. Amen.
Insights from Ginny Howell
Lord God, you’ve called me, not to a quick dash, but to what Pastor Eugene Peterson called “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” As I assess my life priorities, change my heart to focus more and more on you. Amen.
Insights from Ginny Howell
Ginny Howell is the Connections Mobilization Program Director at Resurrection.
One of my favorite things to do is ride my bike on the trails in Shawnee Mission Park. Years ago, when I first started riding, I remember planning the route I would take very carefully so I could avoid the really tough hills, because I just hadn’t built up enough skill or endurance for that to be any fun. After several weeks of riding, I remember telling my husband about this one particular hill that I would avoid at all costs because it seemed impossible for me to conquer. It was not very tall, but it was really steep and came at an odd fork in the road which added to the challenge.
I started trying to ride up the hill shortly after I told my husband how “impossible” it was. “Impossible” is not a word I have ever really been able to make friends with. I would ride my bike as fast as I could towards that short, steep hill (always thinking I surely had it this time) and jump off my bike when I felt I was just about to stop all forward motion, quickly checking to see if there were any witnesses to my epic fail.
The more I had to jump off my bike, the more I knew I had to get up that hill. I even referred to it as my “nemesis hill.” One day, I did the same thing I had done so many days before, and I just rode right up the hill, no problem–it actually surprised me. After that, I rarely missed an opportunity to ride up my nemesis hill until the parks department re-routed the trail last summer. Something that appeared to be the hardest thing for me turned out to be one of the most rewarding. Isn’t that often how it is?
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” I love this reminder to free ourselves from the things that weigh us down, for it is only then that we can experience the joy along the path that God has set before us as the author of our lives.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
One of my favorite things to do is ride my bike on the trails in Shawnee Mission Park. Years ago, when I first started riding, I remember planning the route I would take very carefully so I could avoid the really tough hills, because I just hadn’t built up enough skill or endurance for that to be any fun. After several weeks of riding, I remember telling my husband about this one particular hill that I would avoid at all costs because it seemed impossible for me to conquer. It was not very tall, but it was really steep and came at an odd fork in the road which added to the challenge.
I started trying to ride up the hill shortly after I told my husband how “impossible” it was. “Impossible” is not a word I have ever really been able to make friends with. I would ride my bike as fast as I could towards that short, steep hill (always thinking I surely had it this time) and jump off my bike when I felt I was just about to stop all forward motion, quickly checking to see if there were any witnesses to my epic fail.
The more I had to jump off my bike, the more I knew I had to get up that hill. I even referred to it as my “nemesis hill.” One day, I did the same thing I had done so many days before, and I just rode right up the hill, no problem–it actually surprised me. After that, I rarely missed an opportunity to ride up my nemesis hill until the parks department re-routed the trail last summer. Something that appeared to be the hardest thing for me turned out to be one of the most rewarding. Isn’t that often how it is?
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” I love this reminder to free ourselves from the things that weigh us down, for it is only then that we can experience the joy along the path that God has set before us as the author of our lives.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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