WALKING IS NOT AN OPTION

I learned early in life that "walking is not an option".  My high school days taught me this lesson when the wrestling coach (during training) said to "run" four miles he meant run and not walk.  It was truly a lesson on endurance.  I had a goal I wanted to achieve and was determine to run and not to walk.

Still today in doing hospital visits as a pastor I find myself sometimes almost running down the halls, or at least walking at a fast pace, as if I was running a marathon.  When I "run into someone" in the hallway, you can take that literal.  

Hebrews 12 speaks of a different kind of race.  A race that Jesus ran here on earth, a race that Jesus did not stop short of the finish line.  Gordon MacDonald writes, "He powered His way through the crisis of the cross, through death, and experienced this grand resurrection, which Christian celebrate every year."

In a few weeks here in America we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Again I am reminded that while he was on the cross I was on his mind".  Jesus once stated, "...my nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

It is my prayer today that you will not stop short of the finish line.  That you will look to Jesus, the one who endured the cross, experience death and resurrection and made it possible that you may finish this race well!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."   (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT)