Keep your eyes on Jesus, who began and finished this race we're in.
Hebrews 12:2
When my boys were little they loved a good chase around the lounge room before they got sent off to bed. It was the game we jokingly called ‘smacking hands.’ They’d run round and round in circles with me chasing them – around the lounges, pool table, dining room... squealing in delight and knowing when they got caught they’d be tickled, drum-rolled on the backside and packed off to bed. It's amazing how much perseverance a tired 4 year old can have… I’d always switch it up, change directions and try new things to catch them out. Their tenacity to stay stay up was more than matched by my eagerness to pursue them until I got them to sleep!
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed…. he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." Hebrews 12:2-3
We are encouraged to pursue the things of God
We need to continually chase after the things of God with an unrelenting, persevering effort…… And if we know we haven’t been doing that, we simply pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and choose again what is right. If it’s not working out for us we need to make changes and implement strategies that will help us! Just like in the running game. Get back on the best track for attaining your goals.
"Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12
Run from temptations but chase after -
Righteousness: an observable "uprightness," a life in accordance with God's values – how we respond, how we treat others, how we live our lives.
Godliness: acting in the image of God, drawing close to Him and imitating Him.
Faith and Love: our personal faith the love and kindness we show the Lord and others.
Endurance: (or steadfastness) having a 'won't quit' determination.
Gentleness: patient attitudes of repentance and submission to Christ.
