Long Distance Running

 

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,

                  looking to Jesus....

                Hebrews 12. 1-2

(We are each surrounded by others,

   both believers and those not yet,

who are desperately watching us

   to see if this God of ours is real

   and how we live is transformed by Him.

Run with endurance

       on His strength,

knowing that He has unfolded

  this course before us

       for His deeper purposes

       and for His glory.

Are we looking for outcomes

             or to Jesus?)

He is running with us

             all the way,

             every step,

      every bend in the road.)

O LORD,

Please help us to realize

that this difficulty

    is not some random exercise,

    but strength training.

In You, with You, through You,

   there is always something deeper

   going on here.

As we run with You,

     please empower us

     by trusting You all the more,

not for the accolades of performance,

not for others to see us

           but to see You,

   as we live impossible lives

strengthened by Your strength in us.