Endurance

     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, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
 -Hebrews 12:1

   The writer of Hebrews compared the spiritual life to a runner. The "great cloud of witnesses" are the spectators. They are the ones who have gone on before us and have finished the race. They are cheering us on in the heavenly grandstand. A good friend of mine once told me that the spiritual race is a marathon, and not a sprint. How does a runner prepare for such a race? Training, and lots of it. First Timothy 2:3 tells us the recipe for success. "Train yourself towards godliness" Exercise and shedding all the excess weight of the world is key for success. "Train" comes from the Greek word "gumnos" which means naked. "Gumnos" is where we get the English word gymnasium. Competitors in New Testament times would compete naked so as not to be encumbered by the weight of clothing. Athletes of all kinds spend hundreds of hours in the gym and on the playing field practicing and training for competition. They're not inherently good, it takes tons of practice and dedication. These athletes have a little thing called endurance.  First Corinthians 9:24-26 says this; "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives a prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."

  Second Timothy 2:3-6 gives us these analogies; "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics (there it is again), he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops" 

  A soldier, when he is in the heat of battle isn't checking his Instagram, or checking to see what's trending on X (formerly Twitter). He is focused on one thing; survival, because if he were to lose focus for even one second, his life could be over. An athlete doesn't win the prize if he doesn't adhere to the rulebook. So as in the life of the believer; we have to adhere to the Holy Rulebook. We also see a farmer in this analogy. You can't get the crops unless you first till the ground, plant the seeds, and water them. This all takes endurance, patience and hard work. Galatians 6:7-9 says this about the spiritual "farmer". "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not grow weary. ENDURE. 

  Romans 5:3-5 says this; "But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces 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 us." You see, tribulations and trying times toughen up our spiritual skin. It leads to perseverance. ENDURANCE. Perseverance builds character and in Proverbs 22:1 it says that a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. Character leads to hope, and our hope is in God who has poured out His love through the Holy Spirit. 

  Don't give up. Don't lose hope. We have a lot to gain if we just keep pressing on. Don't let the cares of this world drag you down. You got this in Jesus' mighty name. Now go, have a God day. Love ya, mean it.