Weekly Message 
                     DON'T STOP RUNNING

Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us...  (Hebrews 12:1)

Recently, the United States did extremely well in a sport that we are not really known for.  I have an idea that soccer is about to grow in popularity in our communities.  I am amazed at how much the players must run during the game.  They really have to be in good physical condition to keep from falling behind.  In the stadium the spectators are very vocal in cheering their teams on.  As I viewed the games on television, I thought about the scene depicted in Hebrews 12:1).  Perhaps if the Apostle Paul were alive today, he would see the comparison as well.  Theologians disagree about who the writer of Hebrews was, but it is clear that the athletic theme reads a little like Paul's writing.

One major point is that Christians should keep going even when situations become difficult.    The great cloud of witnesses was introduced in chapter 11 as persons of faith.  Accordingly, it is not important that we run the fastest, but that we endure until the end.  The cloud of witnesses had faith that God would see them through until they crossed the finish line.  In essence, we  run our races with patience.  Our running will be easier if we "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us."  The weights are everything that hinders us from running our race.  This would include any sins in our lives which hold us back.  One of the major sins that the writer infers is the sin of unbelief.  We are to have "faith" that nothing is too hard for God and that He will help us if we discard the sin of unbelief in our lives.  Just as our Lord, Jesus Christ, endured hardship as He suffered on Calvary, we will also suffer in this life.   But the good news is that we are not alone.  Faith and hope will carry us across the finish line.

So if any of us are thinking about giving up because we are tired and overwhelmed...remember, we have a cloud of witnesses cheering us on.  Don't stop running.  And keep looking to Jesus!