Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ”

Photo by: Mateusz Dach

It seems that lately I’ve had many conversations with other Christians about the condition of the world and the church in particular. I believe most Christians would agree that staying true to your faith in Jesus takes effort. It doesn’t come naturally. We have to be willing to trust God and surrender our lives to Him. If you stop to think about it, it also takes effort to pursue the ways of the world. It’s just that the ways of the world are more popular, so it seems more enticing. However, destruction will eventually follow, because sin when full grown leads to death.

James 1:14-15 NIV, “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

But following Jesus leads to life…

John 14:6 NIV, ”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Photo by: Nappy

Surrendering to Jesus starts with a decision, but then that decision has to be walked out day by day. Even when the road gets rough, we still have a choice to surrender our all to our Lord. The race we are running for Jesus Christ requires our devotion to Him. We have to learn to obey Him (even in the little things) and make Him a priority in our daily lives.

We also have to accept the fact that to follow Him, we will not always have the approval of people. Sadly even other Christians will at times try to hold us back from closely following Jesus, most likely so they can stay lukewarm or be comfortable in some type of unconfessed sin. There is always that constant tugging upon our hearts to leave our True Love behind and go our own way. But His way is greater. His way is truth. His way satisfies.

Psalm 145:16 NIV, ”You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

Photo by: Ravsanjani Gusma

Keep running your race for Jesus. Don’t allow the enemy or people to deter you. Stay focused on the One who will never leave you nor forsake you. The Holy Spirit will empower you. Let the reality of His love carry you through the ups and downs of life. Let His peace be your comfort when people try to harm you. Trust God to bring justice in any and every situation you face. He will fight for you.

Don’t give up, just keep running!

Author: Dawn

The love of Jesus will never fail you. Thank you for visiting my blog.

51 thoughts on “Run Your Race”

  1. Thank you Dawn for sharing your faith and witness to an incredible God. Your words and Scripture bring guidance and motivation to run life’s race with perseverance to the Cross where our Savior beckons us to accept Him and follow Him.

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  2. Lovely post. It sure does take effort to walk with Jesus and Satan is always trying to either get us off track or at least be lukewarm in our approach to faith.
    We have to make that decision every day to keep him first and follow him in the little and big things. And He will always enable us to do just that when we find ourselves struggling on our own.

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  6. Wonderful! Put me in mind of a small gem of a book by Bunyan:

    “They that will have heaven, must run for it. I say, they that will have heaven, they must run for it. I beseech you to heed it well. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1Co 9:24). The prize is heaven; and if you will have it, you must run for it. You have another Scripture for this in Hebrews 12:1-3: “Wherefore seeing we also,” saith the apostle, “are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” “And let us run,” saith he. Again, saith Paul, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly, so fight I” (1Co 9:26).

    Bunyan, John. The Heavenly Footman (Kindle Locations 257-263). Chapel Library. Kindle Edition.

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  8. Beautiful message. I think the most important part is to trust God as you say. If we value His opinion more than our fellow men, we can be strong enough to do the rest. Because He fights with us, and He won’t lead us astray. God bless ❤️❤️❤️

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  9. Dawn, your post made me think immediately of Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Just because something feels or seems right, if it isn’t measured against what the Bible says, chances are good it can lead to death (separation from God). This is a powerful, needful word – let’s keep our eyes on the prize, and encourage one another in truth and love. ♥♥

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    1. Thanks for sharing that verse! Things can appear to be right but we need God’s wisdom and guidance to show us what is right. I’m thankful we can encourage one another. ❤️

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  12. so true
    The race is a lifelong marathon race, but Jesus gives us the strength for the race and we are also surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to encourage us. They are the people of faith whose stories remind us nothing is impossible for God.

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  15. Beautiful and such a true message. This got me “Sadly even other Christians will at times try to hold us back from closely following Jesus, most likely so they can stay lukewarm or be comfortable in some type of unconfessed sin. ”
    I thank God for grace to keep going

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  18. Amen! Amen! Thank you so much, Dawn. This is absolutely truth!! You have a good pulse on what is going on in the world, in the church, and with regard to our opposition, as well, and where it comes from (the many sources). And, what you have shared here is solid! Yes! Yes! We have to keep running, and we have to not let others, even in the church, persuade us to follow anything less than the truth of God’s Word. So, thank you, thank you for being faithful to God’s Word. Keep at it!! Sue

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Sue! There is a lot going on these days. Remaining focused on Jesus will see us through. His truth will sustain us. Looking forward to reading your posts. May God bless you. ❤️

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  20. #determination
    #madeupmind
    I love your admonition to keep running, even when we come up against oppositions from within. I’ve found even in my own home the urge to be cultural and legalistic in my devotion to God over investing in a relationship with Him. Sadly, this is what keeps us from experiencing the grace to keep running, and to wait upon the Lord. I’m thankful that I have you, to run alongside with.

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    1. It’s easy to slip into legalism. I think it sometimes makes us feel “safe”. But the Holy Spirit wants to do fresh new things in us and through us. Glad we’re running together too little sis! 🏃🏾‍♀️ 🏃🏾‍♀️

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