Run On!

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

It was a Thursday, November 6, 1986 when Bob Wieland finally crossed the finish line for the New York City Marathon. He was the 19,413th runner to cross the finish line. He was dead last to finish the race. But he was no loser. Why? But he was the first person to run the marathon with his arms instead of his legs! Wieland, a 61-year old Californian whose legs were blown off in a Vietnam battlefield in 1969, recorded what race officials said was the slowest time in marathon history: four days, two hours, 48 minutes, 17 seconds. But he was greeted like a champion as he “stepped” across the finish line. Wieland started the previous Sunday morning at 8:23 a.m. more than two hours before the main body of runners. But, moving at an average speed of about one mile an hour, his lead soon vanished. Bob runs in a sitting position, using his muscular arms like crutches to lift his torso and swing it forward. He sits on a 15-pound saddle and covers his clenched fists with pads he calls “size 1 running shoes.” He cited three specific reasons why he wanted to run the marathon: to show his born-again Christian faith; to test his conditioning, and to promote the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, of which he was a member. He said, “Success is not based on where you start, it’s where you finish, and I finished.”

Now you might think that having finished the marathon, Bob might sit back and enjoy his accomplishment. Your thinking would be dead wrong. Here’s a partial list of some of his other accomplishments: He walked across America on his arms in three years, eight months, six days in 1982-86. He became a 4-time world record holder on the bench press with a best lift of 507 pounds. He completed the New York, Los Angeles, and Marine Corp Marathons. He was the only double amputee to complete the grueling Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. He became a faculty member, outstanding graduate, and alumnus of California State University, Los Angeles. He completed a 6,200 mile bike circuit, by cycling twice across America in conjunction with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Bob Wieland is twice a hero; First, because of his sacrifice to defend freedom. Second, because he refused to give up in spite of his handicap and rebounded from what anyone would consider a total disability. (Kind of puts the little issues we deal with in a different perspective; doesn’t it

I like stories about people who won’t give up. Quitters aren’t much of an inspiration to anyone, but people who stay with a commitment even though the going gets tough are a source of great inspiration to all. For whatever difficulty you may be facing today, this passage has a great deal of practical encouragement for you

REFOCUS Your Attention. (Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses) (Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith) - To really understand Hebrews 12, you first have to read Hebrews 11. We know that because chapter 12 starts with the word “therefore” In chapter 11 the author gives a long list of people who had been found faithful and finished their race because they remained focused. He highlights Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David and many others. He points to them and says, “Look at the power they experienced! Look at the victories they won! And if they can do it, you can too!”. They focused and refocused on God and as a result they remained faithful. Now that’s part of the refocusing – but it’s not the best part. In verse two we are given the primary way to insure that we finish well. Refocus on Christ. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” He is our preeminent example of faith. He is our primary example of a fixed, concentrated, focused life. He looked beyond the cross and saw God the Father’s everlasting love and thus was able to endure anything. Take your focus off of the problem and the potential of defeat. Fix your focus on the victory of Christ - and run on.

REMOVE The Entanglements. “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.” This refers to things that wraps around us so that we trip and stumble every time we try to move forward for the Lord. These are old habits, sinful behaviors, bad attitudes which we haven’t yet removed from our lives. Cut them out of your life. He also mentions “Things that hinder” - Imagine a runner trying to run a race carrying a couple of bowling balls. You can’t run carrying that kind of weight and finish the race. Decide to drop the dead weight which hinders you - and run on.

REMEMBER The Reward. “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The “why” behind what you do determines how long you are going to do whatever it is that you’re doing. This verse reminds us that Jesus focused on the joy set before him. What joy is it talking about? The joy that awaited Him on the far side of the cross. What gave Him the capacity to endure the worst the world could dish out? The reward of reuniting with His Father in glory. That reward made even the cross endurable. What difficulty are you facing which seems beyond your ability to endure? Compare it to what Jesus endured on your behalf on the cross. Jesus didn’t sovereignly place you at this particular time, at this particular place with the particular circumstances you are facing to start your race and not finish. He fully expects you to run on and finish your race. Christians are finishers – not quitters. To quit mid-race denies the power of the Holy Spirit, invalidates multiple promises of God, and ignores the example of our Lord. More than that Jesus expects you to run your race – even though it may be difficult - and still experience joy. What provides that ability? Remember the reward that awaits every devoted follower. This is, by the way, the very essence of faith: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.


Now catch this: You weren’t chosen to run your race because it’s easy, to please yourself, or because it’s the race you choose to run. You run the race because you want to please your great and mighty King. Remember HE IS THE KING! He does have the right to place you where He wants you to be. But He will be with you every step of the way and provide the strength for you to finish. He is your greatest cheerleader. He will be at the finish line to reward you for your faithfulness and courage. Trust in His power and strength – and Run On.

Live the victorious life,
PT