Qualifying

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 12:1-2 NKJV

What you're about to read, you may have seen before. I have, which probably means I've shared at least parts of it with you. However, I think it serves as a great reminder that God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called, and we're in the qualifying round.

Will you run the race - or not even try because you think you've done something that disqualifies you from the running? Before you answer, think about these previous winning runners...

Noah got drunk after they got off the Ark
Abraham was too old to be a father
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were considered too young
David had an affair and then had the woman's husband killed
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
The disciples fell asleep while praying for Jesus
Peter denied Christ (3 times!)
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was promiscuous
The Samaritan woman was divorced - a bunch of times
Zaccheus was too small and was a tax collector. People hated him.
Paul was too religious, and he persecuted Christians and had them killed 

Timothy had an ulcer... AND
Lazarus was dead!!

So... NOW will you run after Jesus? All who do will qualify...

Prayer:

Father,
           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. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen