Manic Monday?

The Christian life is a race—one in which all of us are runners.

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

The Christian race is not a fun-run. It’s a matter of life and death. And the prize is much bigger than a piece of metal on a ribbon. The stakes are eternal. So we need to get rid of anything which is slowing us down.

• How’s the running going? Are you flying or flagging? 
• What’s slowing you down—a bad habit; a wrong relationship; an unresolved issue; a particular sin?
• What will you do about it? What motivation are we given to keep running (v 1)?

The point of this crowd of witnesses is not so much that they look at us, but that we are to look at them. The stories of these men and women of faith in chapter 11 (and in church history) are there to inspire us and lift us. The greatest runner of all time is sitting in the royal box—Jesus himself.

• What did he endure? What kept him going (v 2)? 
• What effect should his example have on us (v 3)?
• In what ways are you feeling weary in the Christian race?
• How has today’s passage motivated you to keep going?