Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:1-2 - The Message)
When we left Nigeria some years ago, my family spent some time in Europe before returning home. We loved the energetic, toe-tapping worship services with our Nigerian brothers and sisters, but we were looking forward to worshipping in one of the great cathedrals of Europe.
After landing in Amsterdam and touring the area, we came upon a cathedral in Harlem that had a historic pipe organ played by both Handel and Mozart. Wow! We couldn’t wait for Sunday.
Unfortunately, when we arrived at the cathedral for Sunday worship, the doors were locked. What had been a place of worship for many centuries was now a museum. Believers no longer gathered there to “Tell the story of Jesus and his love.” It's new mission was to tell the story of the building and those who came to visit it.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” With deep appreciate for those who have gone before us, those who have blazed the trail and are cheering us on, we need to get on with the race!
So let's...
Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.
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