The Race of Endurance

“Therefore, since we are surrounded with such a great cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” – Hebrews 12:1-3

Ever felt so down you couldn’t look up? It may have been something you experienced in your life, or there may be challenges that stand in your way. So how do you get up when you are so down? Look up and pray! And also learn from the past.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer is exhorting Christians to stay true to their new found religious way of life. But these Christians were living in difficult times. They were no longer accepted by their Jewish ancestors, and the Roman authorities had no use for them. They were persecuted both socially and physically, and some had died for their faith. In short, the new Christians were trying to figure out where they fit into society and everyday life. It’s the same with us, so often we try to figure everything out on our own. We try to fix things ourselves. And finally, we do last what we should have done first – we pray.

The easy thing to do was to fall back into the Jewish culture and the old way of life. The writer of Hebrews could have given them explanations of how to be strong, but he did one better, he gave them examples from the past. The writer of Hebrews has given these new Christians a “great cloud of witnesses”. Let’s call them mentors, accountability partners. Why? Because there was a lot to be learned from these mentors. The writer knows there are a lot of things in life you can’t learn on your own. You learn them from the community of believers that has gone before you. The writer knew that these mentors were important to this newfound Christian community.

We always grow faster and stronger with living, breathing examples who can model for us what a true disciple of Christ life looks like. Explanations are fine, but we learn more from real life examples. Who are your models for following Christ? Who are you watching and learning from? Here’s a tougher question: Are you an example for anyone else? You may be surprised that unknowingly you are.

A few years back there was a common phrase to live by: “WWJD – What would Jesus do?” In today’s culture, we need to know in our hearts how to relate to our kids as Jesus would, how to truly love our spouse and make a marriage last as Jesus would, how to run a business with integrity as Jesus would, and how to handle conflict in the way Jesus would. These are lessons many times we learn by watching others. Ask yourself this: “What’s been the greatest positive influence on my life?” It probably was not a sermon, a seminar, an e-mail or a small group lesson. More likely it was somebody who shaped your life through a personal relationship.

Rick Warren says “…it’s wise to learn from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.” Our lives are just too short to learn everything by personal experience. And many painful experiences can be avoided if we learn from mentors in our church family. I can testify to this. Write down the names of people in your church and small group that you’d like to learn from. Then identify what you’d specifically like to learn from them. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect to be a model or mentor.

To grow spiritually, you must also be willing to be a model or mentor to others. That may scare you but all it takes is being one step ahead. People don’t expect you to be perfect – they already know you aren’t. What they want you to be is honest! So let them see your struggles and tell of how you grew from them. Don’t just tell them your successes. We usually can grow as much from others’ weaknesses as we do from their strengths.

Somebody said if you look behind you, you'll be defeated. If you look ahead of you, you'll be distressed. If you look around you, you'll be discouraged. But if you look above you, you will be determined. The next time you're down or discouraged, let me give you the best piece of advice that you could ever hear: Run to God! Pray, and find the “great cloud of witnesses” he has placed around you. Now, how simple is that? Don't make prayer and a mentor your last chance… make it your first choice!

In Christ,
Jerry McGuire

FAITH REQUIRES ACTION

"And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." (Mark 5:34-36)

As Christians, we all hear words such as grace, salvation, and faith quite frequently. And all play a part in our daily life whether we know it or not. In the story above, a woman of desperate faith had just touched the hem of Jesus’ robe and been healed. Did the robe heal her? Of course not, her faith that the man wearing the robe could heal her resulted in her being healed. She had an active and courageous faith.

The setting for this scripture points us to a faith that is beyond the natural, it points to a God-based faith. We can only lay hold of the things of God by faith. The Bible is only a book until, by faith; we receive it as the living Word of God. In contrast to the woman, the synagogue ruler was afraid, but Christ told him to believe.

It is interesting to note that those who were standing by said to the synagogue ruler, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” In essence, they said, “There is no hope, just accept it and go on.” Many well-meaning people today tell us it is too late, but not Jesus. He tells us with all assurance that it is not too late! It is never too late with God. Look beyond where you are to what God says about you. We do that in Celebrate Recovery.

Jesus spoke some very powerful words to the ruler and He speaks these words to us today, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” What would truly happen in our lives if we dared to believe God? How about an Imagination Campaign that puts Cokesbury out of debt. We all know that we cannot please God without faith, but do we truly believe God at His Word? We see people with terrible hurts, habits and hang-ups that find faith hard to lay hold to. But through a systematic 12-Step program and working with the 8 Principles of CR, we see them go through a healing process that only God could provide.

You have to begin with the faith you already have: it may be just a little, but you start there. A great example of this is the story of the man who brought his sick son to Jesus in Mark 9. Jesus looked at the man and said, “I can heal your son. If you will believe, I will heal him.” In response, the father then makes a classic statement: “Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”

Have you ever felt like that? “Lord, I have some faith. But I also have some doubts.” This man was filled with faith and doubt, yet despite his honest doubts, he went ahead and asked Jesus for a miracle. And Christ true to form gave the man his miracle – Jesus healed his son. Christ helps us with our addictions, our grief, and our failings, whatever. You believe he can do what he says he can do.


So, both the synagogue ruler and the woman had faith. And with this faith, Christ was able to work miracles – for both of them. By faith we lay hold of the things of God and act upon God’s promises. What a blessed place it is when the life we have we share with God in faith. The life God gives through faith in him is life-changing.

In Christ,

Jerry McGuire