Running the Race of Life

 

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

—Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NKJV)

 

 

Endurance is the sustained ability to withstand adversity. A person who endures spiritually has the stamina and determination to carry them through the stresses of life. They know the result of the race and that their strength to successfully finish is only found by putting their faith in God. What they believe about God’s character, His faithfulness, and His love for them will either carry them securely over the hurdles of life to victory or they will live in fear’s paralyzing defeat. If they believe God’s faithfulness and love endure without wavering, then they will endure without wavering. They will stand spiritually strong in the face of adversity because they know Jesus has already won their race.

 

God knows we can endure. He never instructs us to do something He knows we are incapable of doing. However, learning to successfully run the race is a process we learn as hurdles come each day. Each issue you face is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you. When you continually concentrate on the hardship of a problem, you end up relying on your own strength. You can’t hear the Holy Spirit trying to reveal to you how to overcome. However, when you trust the Holy Spirit instead of allowing your problem to control you, the Spirit directs and empowers you to His resolution. Those problems—those hurdles you face—are your opportunity to believe in God and exercise your faith. 

 

You can only run this race of life with endurance if God is your strength, and He can’t be your strength if you don’t exercise the faith Christ has given you. He is the author of your faith, and He is the finisher of your faith. When you were saved, you were spiritually reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit. You received the finished work of Christ in your born-again spirit (John 3:6). The fullness of God came to live in your spirit (John 1:16). Your mind is where the Holy Spirit gives you understanding of the fullness of God you have received as a new creation in Christ. Your mind is where you are transformed by the Word to the truths of your new life in Christ (Romans 12:2). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God in your heart (Romans 10:17). Faith draws the truths of the new creation you are in your spirit into your mind and anchors those truths in your heart. Each hurdle you face is an opportunity to exercise your faith. 

 

In the spiritual realm, your problem is something the finished work of Christ has already overcome. Don't dwell on what might be or what might happen. Keep your eyes on Jesus and run the race of this life with the authority He has given you. As you exercise your faith to believe what you can’t physically see, the Holy Spirit builds your confidence in God’s truth. Problems don’t have the power to defeat you. Each issue is your chance to rely on His power to overcome. When you believe the truth of your right standing in Christ and when you exercise the authority He has given you, problems don’t defeat you. You see them as conquered and know the Holy Spirit is leading you to His promised outcome.

 

Exercising your faith invites the power of His peace. His peace flies above hurdles in life. It’s free of despair and full of the promises of God. His peace overcomes obstacles of which you have not even been aware. Those obstacles of which you are aware? He gives you spiritual understanding and leads you toward a resolution that is His perfect will for you.

 

You are going to run the race of life. Jesus is the author of your faith, and He is the finisher of it. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to lead you and empower each step. His grace has already won the race for you. When you believe your race is already won, as you run life’s race, you spiritually visualize your win. You trust that Jesus, who having finished the race, is going to lead you safely over the hurdles to the end of your race. When you believe Him, you don’t doubt Him. No matter what hurdles come your way, you see the abundance of your new life in Him. Your life flows in His power and rests in His peace. 

 

You are running a finished race Jesus has won. You know the promised victory at the end. You have His power to endure. But it is your choice how you run it—whether you persevere in faith over each hurdle or whether you falter and fall.  It is your choice whether you give into the lies of a defeated enemy or believe the truths of Jesus’ redeeming victory. 

 

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

—1 John 4:4

 

As Jesus is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17). When you know you “are of God,” you stand strong and endure. You believe you have overcome because Jesus in you has overcome.

 

© 2024 Lynn Lacher

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