Running Into The Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

This is going to be the first of many to come in a series of blog posts that I will be calling "Running Into the Scriptures." My goal in writing these is to highlight ways in which we can incorporate our faith as Christians into running, and use running as a training ground to strengthen our walk with the Lord. This passage seems such a fitting place to start, so let's dig in.

Looking at the text, we get this wonderful image of a race. For many who are farther along in their walk you will know and understand the reference, but for those who are new let's break it down. The race being referenced here is the race of keeping the faith and living out our lives in obedience and relationship with Christ. When we proclaim our faith and give our lives to Jesus, it begins a lifelong "race" of following Him, walking in obedience to Him, persevering and allowing ourselves to grow in our faith through the process of sanctification.

So how does this relate to running? As athletes we go through a similar process, an ongoing journey through many training blocks and seasons where we seek to get better than we were before. This can require us to endure not only physical and mental pain/fatigue in training and competition, but also lifestyle changes and sacrifice in certain seasons of life. We take on this journey with a full understanding that there will be some very high mountaintops (PR, Win, etc) and some very low valleys (DNF, Injury, etc).

The same circumstances we endure as athletes are those we will be called to endure in our "race" as Christians. Different context, sure, but there is a symbiotic relationship where running allows us to practice how we react to these situations and similarly our Christian values help us to navigate such things in running. For example, in the above passage from Hebrews it tells us to "lay aside every weight." In endurance running those weights may be internal pressure on how we will perform, a feeling of "I can't go further," working through an injury, or finding motivation to train when other life circumstances feel heavy. In our walk as Christians, that may look like being weighed down by our sins, shortcomings, or a loss. Where this all comes together is how we handle such weights.

Jesus says in Matthew 11: 28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Psalm 55:22 instructs us to "Cast our burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain us." The written Word of God gives us a clear image that we are to give such weights over to the Lord, and that He will carry them for us. Many times I have been deep in an ultramarathon feeling tired and heavy or navigating a tough injury and a simple prayer of surrender has led me to a renewed spirit and energy, an almost instant "lifting" of that weight. This is the same when we give those weights over to Him in life outside of running as well. Yes, it can be harder than it looks. Our Hebrews passage tells us that we are to "look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." If we were perfect, we would not need a perfecter. Running provides us a great way to experience and practice this process of releasing our burdens to Him. Likewise, as we grow better at it in life outside of running it will become almost second-nature to do so while running.

To give something practical, next time you find yourself in a spot of difficulty on a run (or in life), pray a simple prayer thanking God for His desire to carry our burdens for us and asking Him to take those weights from your shoulders. He can and He will carry them for you, allowing you the ability to endure through anything that comes your way.