Welcome to Saturday, July 24th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Running The Race!

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Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Saturday, July 24th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

Running The Race

In just a matter of weeks, the football team will begin practicing for the Fall season. No doubt, many of them are out of shape after doing very little throughout the summer.

The cross country runners will also soon be out running mile after mile to regain their fitness.

I enjoyed basketball and football, but I could never wrap my mind around the sport of track, that is, running for the enjoyment of running.

My best friend in high school was a long-distance runner. Every night after school, he would run 40 times around the quarter-mile high school track.

I thought he was nuts and told him so multiple times. Finally, however, the joke was on me. His perseverance allowed him to win the state cross country track meet several times in high school.

Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are about running.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NAS95

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,  [2]  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I absolutely love the imagery in these verses. It's all about running the Christian race, and make no mistake, we are in a race.

First, let's list the needs for the sport of running.

You need a place for an athletic event to take place.

You need someone to be the contestant on the track, an individual who desires to run the race and has an inner desire to make it to the finish line – to win.  This runner needs to be in shape.  He has to be a runner who practices.  He loses as much weight as possible without hurting his performance.  He wears clothing that is light and allows freedom of movement.

You need coaches who will be teaching the runners the most profitable technique to use.

You need spectators in the stands cheering on the racers. You need a prize for the one who wins the race.  

The Christian is running a race.  The place we run is our life.  The runners are those who know Jesus Christ.  The prize is eternity with Jesus Christ.

The great cloud of witnesses in verse one are those Christians who have gone before us.

Our memories of them can, in essence, holler down from the stands the words "keep trying, stand firm", or "you can do it." 

Some of these spectators are the Christians of the Bible, while others are those such as parents, friends, and others that have gone before us. I believe that it can even be those who are living yet today who have experienced much in life.

These witnesses demonstrate that it is possible to stay on course for Christ.

As Christians, we are also to set aside those things in our lives that hold us back from running the Christian race effectively.

We need to keep in mind that the race of faith is a marathon, not just a sprint. Our Christian race requires a constant effort over a long period of time.

Maybe, you didn't realize that you are running a race. Well, you are! It is a long and difficult race.

But, just think of what awaits us at the finish line!

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

At times, it seems like we are running out of strength to run the race.

Help us to focus on the finish line of eternity.

Help us to always keep in mind the joys that await us in eternity.

May we run the race effectively today.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!