The First and the Last February 17

Hebrews 1:1-2

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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.

People love to watch a great athletic performance, to watch the greatest athletes perform at the highest levels. Today I remembered a video I saw a few years ago of a track race, that made me think about this scripture.

It was probably a 50-meter hurdle, men’s competition. The gun sounded and all the men took off. This one man was particularly heavy not because of fat but because he had so much muscle. Every time he jumped the hurdle his last foot couldn’t clear the hurdle. The next one came, he knocked it down, and the next, and the next. The other contestant’s left him behind and completed the race, finally, I was just hoping that he could make one clean hurdle and on the last one he tripped and fell, got up and finished the race.

I’ve noticed that some Christians have a more difficult time running their race. To be truthful most Christians won’t make a clean race clearing every hurdle placed before them. You lose a job, get back up and run for the next hurdle, another calamity awaits you, and another.

Sometimes the hurdles are by our own doing, but sometimes we have an enemy that changes the height of the jump. But Jesus knows how strong you are in the spirit:

Romans 5: 3-5

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produce perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.

Now hope does not disappoint. Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Has life knocked you down? Always trying to clear a hurdle, thinking about giving up on the Lord? Place your hope in the Lord because, hope in the Lord pins medals.

Years after the event, I only remember the man that struggled so hard to finish his race. Ironically, he struggled because he was so strong. Everyone in the stadium watched and pulled for him to finish, very few noticed the flawless victory of the winner. The great cloud of witnesses are watching you run your race, pulling for you, with the Holy Spirit encouraging you. He won’t leave you behind.

He is: Alpha and Omega

The First and the Last

Blessing’s