Running the Race 

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,…  Hebrews 12:1 

A man was recently chosen for a job at an organization, and they told him, “We chose you because you are God’s man for this job!” 

That sounds pretty special until we realize that we are all God’s man (or, woman)! 

God chose you before the foundation of the earth – Ephesians 1:4 – just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. 

God’s choosing of you indicates significance!  He values you! 

God has a purpose for each one of us – Ephesians 1:11 – …also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,… 

God chose you because He has a specific purpose for you to achieve. 

God has a calling for each one of us – Ephesians 1:18 – I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,… 

God has called you to Heaven, but He has also called you for particular tasks on earth. 

God has works for you to perform – Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 

God chose you to do certain things that no one else has ever done, and no one else will ever do! 

God has a race for you to run – Hebrews 12:1 – and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,… 

Your race may be long, or it may be short;  it will have ups and downs, and twists and turns.  It may not be easy, but God is with you, and the Holy Spirit is within you, to provide for your every need, as you trust Him. 

You are also told to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1, and I Thessalonians 2:12. 

How do we walk, when we’re supposed to be running the race?  

It appears to me, that running the race is about our purpose, our calling, and the works we are to do. 

Our walk is about our character and our attitude as we run the race.  How do we display the character of God while we are running the race?  (Exodus 34:6)  What is our attitude when we deal with the pitfalls and the hurdles in the race?  Are we running the race with integrity, obeying the rules, and caring for those who are running with us?  It ties in with let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us,- Hebrews 12:1