Victory or Sympathy

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. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV

Hebrews 12 follows the chapter most Christians refer to as the 'Hall of Faith' - those whose faith was counted as righteousness before God. Those are the ones who endured SO much more as Christians than we as Americans could even imagine. Those are the ones who have gone before us and are waiting for us to finish this race.

Pastor Glen told the story of the 4-man relay team who led the circuit throughout the season in wins - they were unbeatable. When it came time for the world games competition, the starting shot was fired, and the race was on in an electrifying launch. The first runner of the team was out in front feet flying. Coming into the first turn, he misstepped, twisted his ankle, lost his balance and fell face-first into the cinder track. The crowd uttered a collective gasp and then, in unison, the sad "ohhhhh..." of commiseration. 

The other teams' runners raced right on by. The projected winner was face-down on the track and for all practical intents and purposes was out of the race. However, he had been in training. Training taught him - you finish what you started. You finish the race. Slowly, painfully, his face, hands and knees bleeding, he pushed himself up off the track and searched for the dropped baton. With it in his grasp, he began to gimp his way to hand it off. In his mind, all was lost. His heart was broken and as he handed off to the next runner, he fell to the sideline, sobbing. Broken. Failed. He had failed. But, as he lay there sobbing...

The second runner ran for all he was worth. His goal was to get to the next runner. He successfully handed off to runner 3 who had already started running. Runner 3 ran with all that was in him while runner 1 was still inconsolable on the sideline. Broken. Failed. Not seeing, not knowing...that runner 3 had caught up with the pack and was handing off to the 4th and last runner. The last runner had his eye on the goal. He did not think about his teammate on the sideline. He did not regard those in front of him. He did not consider the obstacles he had to overcome. He had the baton and he did what he was trained to do. Run for the finish. Run for the prize... and he did. Against all odds. They won. Runner 1 was still on the sideline, sobbing that he had let down his team. Broken. A failure?

No. He wasn't a failure, but he just didn't realize it yet. He had gotten up against all odds and finished what he set out to do. What he had trained to do. Hand off the baton to the next runner. He could have lain there and not gotten up. He could have hobbled off to the side because no one expected him to get up and run. People would have shaken their heads in pity, and sympathized, and totally understood... And his whole team would have lost. But he stayed in the race!

Solomon said the race is not to the swift. Christ never said it would be easy. He just promised He would never leave us. Did you see His run? What do you want? Victory or sympathy?  You've got the baton. Stay in the race! Get up! Run!

Prayer:

Father,
Your Son - the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. Help us to endure to the finish line. By Your grace, we will win when we stay focused on You. Help us to keep our eyes on the prize and press toward it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen