Hebrews 12:1 -2 ESV “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
We see in Pauls writing that “we must run the race” Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 9:24. Running takes so many of our capabilities to achieve we first have to ensure we know our goal our destination in order for us to run with endurance it is pointless for us to just be running blindly when we don’t know where we are heading. Even for someone going on a morning jog they have to have an idea of the direction they are heading. Once you have become clear of the destination the next is planning you have the right running gear for the terrain. Do you have the right clothes for the weather you will encounter? Do you need a lighter jacket? You then start checking the weather is the weather suitable for running? Is it going to rain and if it is going to rain do I need to take a waterproof Jacket? For serious runners they need to ensure they have enough energy to be able to endure the race ahead of them, maybe a caffeine sweet or drink. For all runners they have to ensure they are fully hydrated, and they have had enough protein to get their bodies to the end. We can see the many considerations taken just to run, my mum is a walker and I’m sure she has a few more like a blister kit, tissues and socks and the right shoes. Over the next couple of months, we are going to be examining the different things to ensure we are ready, fit and equipped to run the race God has set for us.
Living the Christian life isn’t going to happen unless we are intentional. In the same way we count the cost of running or going on a long walk we have to also look at ourselves with this same level of detail when we are considering our eternal destination. We cannot leave such a weighty destination by chance. In the same way that we need a destination when we are running in the natural Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:26 “So I do not run aimlessly” we see in Hebrews 12: 1-2 that Jesus is our destination, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus is our destination and our model. As Christian the end result is “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13. As long as we believe in a Christianity that is separated from a heart transformation, we will always feel disconnected and dissatisfied. God is calling us as Sons and daughters to a life where Christ is living in and through us. Not where we try within our own strength to muster up some good deeds and moral behaviour when are hearts are still hardened and unchanged. We are not called to imitate Christ with change in behaviour but to imitate Him through seeking Him for a changed heart which in turn transforms our behaviour.
“Christ in me” Lord may this be our reality and our portion. Lord bring us to the end of ourselves, the end of our trying the end of self-belief and effort. Teach us to rise like a child, crying on the fall and not getting up until you by Your power lift us in Jesus mighty name we pray.
Much Love in Christ,
Your Sister,
Ruth 
Pursuing Holiness
