Run the race with perseverance and fix your eyes on Christ

12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [b]author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-3

We live in a generation where everything is done instantly. We're hungry and we make a drive through for a burger, fry and a soft drink.  We need money so we do a drive through run at the bank. We want to learn a new language and we are drawn to audio tapes that promises us a new language simply listening to them for 30 days on the way to school and work.  We're don't have time to return telephone calls so we call people back while we're going somewhere.  How often when someone talks to a friend and the person you are talking to has road noise in the background?

We have lost our ability to focus on the long term goal.  It is easier to train ourselves to run the short sprint than it is to run the two mile. Last spring my son, James joined his team's track team.  He was asked if he would be willing to run the 2 mile race and he said yes. As I watched all of the two mile runners I noticed something special about these guy's that I didn't necessarily see in the short sprinters. Perseverance. Every single one of these guys ran the race with perseverance just as Hebrews 12 instructs. These guys focused on the race and they 'fixed' their eyes on the finish line and they didn't get discouraged by another runner suddenly passing them up.  When it became evident that they weren't going to come in first they all strove to 'beat their time'.

Afflictions have a way of throwing us off course. Whether it is grieving the loss of a child, or breaking a leg there is no easy 30 day trial that will get you back in the game.  There is no drive up physical therapy clinic to easily fix that leg.  We must endure and persevere for how many months and years it will take to finally reach the finish line of our recovery.

There is good news in this world of instant gratification.  We have a Savior who is running the race with us and we have a Savior who is at the finish line cheering us on! God knew that this world would be a hard place to live in which is why he paved the way for all of us to experience his presence through Jesus Christ who ran His race and won.  So next time you get discouraged by your affliction just remember the words in Hebrews 12 and fix your eyes on Christ as your endure the race set before you.