The Course
Today was the final full day of GrandCamp. It concluded with the “Blessing Ceremony” when
each grandparent, affirms the grandchild’s character, value, speaks encouraging words for their future and pledges to be there for them. A little gift is presented to each child as a token to remember the occasion. This year it was a “blessing box” for children to keep special items or record memories of the Lord’s work in their life. In Caed’s I took some of my personal business cards and wrote scriptures for him to read from time to time.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…let us run with endurance the race marked out for us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1,2 NIV
As Caed memorized this portion of these verses at GrandCamp, I had a good time talking about a “race course.” When there is a race, the runners don’t determine the route they are to go. It is established and laid out by the “race director.” The same race event, may even have a slightly different course from year to year. It is the responsibility of the runners to follow the course “marked out” for them to follow.
What happens if a runner gets tired or feels they can see a shortcut to the finish line? They leave the course and become disqualified for the prize. Staying to the course, even when you are getting tired, even then the path seems monotonous, even when you think you have a better way to the end, even when it is hard, is vital to getting to the finish line regardless of the time it takes.
Caed asked, “How do the runners know the course they are to follow?” Good questions. In a road race there is a person on a bike who goes ahead of the runners to show them the way to the finish line. Who is that for us in our spiritual life? “Jesus” correctly answers Caed.
We are to follow Jesus, keeping our eyes on Jesus in order to make to the end of our “course.” As the writer of Hebrews says, “Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.” So our faith has its origins in Jesus and it finds its maturity and fulfillment in Jesus.
As Chaplain, General Bob Paige pointed out to grandparents, faith has two important parts. It is our “confidence in Jesus” and it is the “content of our belief.” Our faith grounds us to Jesus the person, the Son of God and to His Word, which guides and directs our life.
Some view the “race marked out” as an individual, personalized race for each person. There may be some application in that. However, it is important to understand that we all are running a course that has a focus on Jesus, serving His purposes, bringing Him glory, living lives pleasing to Him. That course will have its inevitable ups and down, trials, challenges and disappointments. That is why our focus is so important. To make it the finish line, the finish line is always kept in focus. A runner runs looking for the sight of that finish line and striving to make it to the end.
Such is to be our aim and our determination. Not being sidetracked by any pain, difficulty or the length of of course, but trusting that the finish line will be over the next horizon. Crossing the finish line is when we take our leave and find the satisfaction of having “finished the course” and receiving the prize.
Prayer for today… Lord thank you for giving us the strength and determination to endure as travel our course of life in following You. Let us keep our eyes on You and on the prize that is set before us.