1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so 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, 2 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.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV)
The race we run is one that is not a sprint but a long distance endurance race. This is why we see so many come to faith, burn really brightly for a time and burn out. They mistakenly think their fervor and passion will hold with them through the many years of their lives in faith. Maybe some can, but it is easy to have our passion fade over time. We never learn to settle into a proper cadence for the true effort needed for our life with Christ.
Please, do not get me wrong. I do not wish to throw water on anyone’s faith based fire. If you can maintain a blazing fire for this life and work my hat is off to you. This is also not meant to say that the fire for Christ burns low within us. No, what I am saying is that often the hottest fire is the one kindled slowly and purposely and tended carefully.
When we kindle this type of fire within and care for it, we can endure much that this world and the enemy throws at us, because we know and trust the source. The fire that flamed brightly in our lives once has become a small regularly stoked furnace within us so that can feed us and endure the race.
