And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:2-4
It’s been a brutal race. So many obstacles. So many hindrances because of my mistakes. The course is tough and exhausting! It was difficult because there were so many that worked so hard to not see me finish. They tried to lure me off the race course so many times. They shouted insults and mocked me almost the entire time. There were times my own body seemed to rebel and gave me so much pain. This race is grueling … and dangerous.
Oh… but my Coach somehow was able to run beside me the entire time! His words of encouragement and reminders of His coaching and past lessons were spoken to me just when I needed them. Just when I thought I couldn’t go any further He provided the nourishment and hydration to continue on. Coach kept telling me to keep my eyes focused on the course ahead and not listen to scoffers and mockers.
I haven’t run this race before. I’m not really aware what it is like to finish a race like this one. But my Coach tells me the joy of finishing is WORTH it ALL! This is the toughest race any human can run!! I learned to run and find other racers and encourage them along the way as they encouraged me as well when the course got extremely tough. They would share with me what the Coach was saying to them, and lessons He had taught them, and oh how that helped me! It really helped to run in a ‘pack’ for so many sections of the race, but there were also so many places it was just my Coach and I on this brutal race course.
After running for so long – to actually see the finish line in the distance – oh how it fires my soul with determination! I’m NOW determined to make it no matter what!! My Coach has told me and showed me snapshots of what the finish is like … and what an encouragement those have been. But now… to read what the Race Master has prepared for the finishers … it seems almost too good to be true! But I know my Coach so well now – as He is the Race Master’s Son – and He gave up everything just to Coach me through this race – I KNOW deep within me the things He says are TRUE!
So fellow racer … keep GOING! Listen to the Coach! Remind yourself the lessons He has taught you. Listen to your personal Trainer! Remember the tips the Trainer gave you! The Coach gave us the personal Trainer for times just like this. There were times even though I couldn’t see them… I could hear the Coach and the personal Trainer running behind me – they were with me even though it seemed to me I was all alone.
You are NOT alone!!!
Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24