Just Keep Running - Sermon Blog
We’ve all been there — starting a new adventure with excitement, enthusiasm, and passion. Whether it’s a fitness goal, a new job, or a relationship, that initial rush of energy can fuel us for the journey ahead. But what happens when the race feels too long, and exhaustion starts to set in?
In today’s world, we are taught to chase our dreams, to strive for success, and to keep pushing forward. But what about when we’re tired, weary, or overwhelmed by life? What does it mean to keep running the race of faith when it feels like everything is weighing us down?
This past Sunday, we kicked off a powerful message centered around Hebrews 12, and it spoke to the struggles that so many of us face on our spiritual journey. If you’ve ever started your faith journey with passion, only to find yourself feeling exhausted or questioning if it’s all worth it, you’re not alone.
The Struggle is Real: Preparing for the Journey
In the beginning, we run strong. We’re filled with hope, ready to embrace all that God has in store for us. But life has a way of testing our endurance. The race isn’t always a sprint, and it’s definitely not easy. We have to learn to pace ourselves. That’s where the key to endurance comes in: it’s about preparation.
Much like when you set out for a run, you wouldn’t put on boots and jeans. You’d prepare yourself with the right gear to make sure you’re ready for the journey ahead. The same goes for your spiritual walk. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”
This verse encourages us to prepare our hearts and minds for the race by shedding anything that holds us back from fully embracing God's call. It’s not just about the big things like sin but also the smaller distractions — anxiety, stress, or even fear — that hinder our progress. We’re reminded to focus on Jesus, who’s the author and perfecter of our faith.
The Race is Long – But You Don’t Have to Run Alone
What happens when we start to feel weary? When we start questioning why we ever started this journey in the first place? In those moments, we need endurance, and we need help from those around us. Hebrews 12:2 says, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
When the race gets tough, Jesus doesn’t leave us to struggle on our own. He runs with us, encouraging us to keep our eyes on Him. The great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that we aren’t the first to face this challenge. We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, from the great heroes of the faith to those in our own lives who have endured and overcome.
God’s Discipline is Love in Action
As we continue our journey, we often face moments of discipline. But discipline isn’t punishment. It’s guidance. It’s the loving correction from a Father who wants to shape us into the people He created us to be. Hebrews 12:5-6 reminds us, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
Discipline can be uncomfortable, but it’s through discipline that we grow stronger and more faithful. It’s God’s way of preparing us for the next stage of the race. And just like any runner knows, without discipline and focus, we can easily become distracted or sidetracked on our journey.
Keep Moving Forward – You’re Not Done Yet
The race is long, but the finish line is worth it. Hebrews 12:12-13 encourages us to “take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”
In the journey of faith, sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply keep going. No matter how tired you are or how weary the race feels, don’t give up. Remember, God is with you, and He’s there to strengthen and sustain you. Your endurance matters not only for you but for others as well. The way you keep going strengthens the body of Christ.
Realigning Our Focus
The ultimate goal of our faith journey is holiness. Through the trials, the challenges, and even the discipline, God is shaping us to become more like Him. Life is a race, but it’s not just about reaching the finish line — it’s about the transformation that happens along the way.
As we learn to shed what weighs us down, to keep our eyes on Jesus, and to embrace His discipline, we come to know the joy of the race, not just the end. God is preparing us for something greater — for a life that is holy and pleasing to Him.
So, wherever you are on this journey, remember: you are not alone. Take one step at a time, lean into God's love, and know that your faithfulness will inspire others to keep going as well.
Keep running the race. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
