The Race Set Before Us
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
The middle line in this passage jumps out to me, “… let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith …” We cannot always control the direction our path in life will take. We do our best to make plans, to do all the things that we need to do to be prepared for the path we expect to take in life. We put forth the effort required to obtain the education we need for the career we have chosen. Then we endeavor to meet or exceed all the requirements for success in our chosen career. But then, inevitably, we meet an obstacle or roadblock that causes us to pause, or even fall. That is when it’s time to reflect on this passage. The letter to Hebrews speaks of running the race that is set before us looking to Jesus. This is especially true when the race that is set before us is not the race that we had planned. That is when it is important to remember to look to Jesus, who is the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Jesus is the one who will lead us and guide us when the route is difficult and will lift us when we stumble and fall.
A Prayer for Guidance
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“The Book of Common Prayer,” page 832
