Hebrews 12:1-3 NRSV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
You are surrounded
By great and good companions
With witnesses who ran the race before you
Now cheering you on
Inspiring you with their courageous faith
With witnesses running beside you
Churning up the dust of this well-traveled-path
Encouraging you with the steady beat of their beautiful feet
Run beloved, run
Lay aside every weight
Every worry
Every excuse
Every inner critic shouting against inspiration
Lay aside the sin that clings so closely
Every self-serving motivation
Every self-medicating choice
Every weak thing you’ve trusted more than God
Lay them aside
and run
Run beloved, run
Run with perseverance the race
Daring
Enduring
Alive
Looking not to the dust, but to Jesus
The Pioneer and Perfecter of your faith
Look not to the right or to the left
Look to Jesus
Focus
Follow
Jesus is The Way, opening the path
The Truth, clearing the clutter
The Light, blazing the trail
He runs
He endures
For the sake of the joy
Of setting the joy before you
and in you
Run
Run remembering
Joy is your strength
Remember and endure
For this race comes with a cross
A course of blood and tears
Mocking and piercing
Take it up
Disregard its shame (that ancient enemy)
Let it fall by the wayside
Tired scraps on the breath of new life
Take it up and run
Sit down in the next life
Not this one
Run beloved, run
Following and looking and remembering him who endured
So that you may not grow weary
Or lose heart
For your strongest step is yet to come
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Be sure to check out Steve Garnaas Holmes reflection Cheer, on cheering on his niece as she ran the Boston Marathon and how that connects to our spiritual life.
Run Beloved, Run © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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