None of us runs a flawless race in the Christian life. We stumble and fall. We get lost for a bit, fall back, charge forward and stumble and fall…again. The life we live in Christ is a marathon and just in case you were curious, marathons are long and grueling.
Hebrews 12 starts out like this: “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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12.1-3 NIV).
Chapter 11 is all about the heroes of faith and those that suffered for their faith. None of the people were perfect. They had all made mistakes, fell down, and blew it. Some of them were tortured and persecuted. Then Paul writes, “Therefore…”
The stadium is filled with those that have gone before us. They are shouting, running along side of us yelling encouragement to us. They know we are in pain. They know we are tired. They know we want to quit. They also know we can do it. And they keep encouraging us to keep going because the finish line is just up ahead.
The Bible is filled with people just like you and me. They did not run a flawless race. They made mistakes, took wrong turns, and fell down. And yet, they all finished the race.
Maybe what the people around us need is not a critique of what is wrong with their running but a group of people to encourage them to keep running.
What do you think?
From Youtube.com:
From Sports Center:
Skin Ministries 
Let us consider how we can provoke one another on to love and good deeds.
The Church needs more of this kind of mutual encouragement.
(Yes, I cried at the video too.)
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that cried. Thanks for the comments.