Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIVUK)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
All athletes in training experience those moments when they feel like giving up, those days when there is nothing in the tank, or when it feels like they will never be able to make the distance they want to cover or the speed they desire, or when they’re simply feeling flat and it’s all too much. It can be the same in the life of faith. There can be times when it feels like the church has let you down, or even God, times when life is tough, or simply times when you’re feeling a flat or running on empty (our emotional, physical and spiritual lives are not separate but are intimately linked). These are the moments when it is good to look to Jesus and remind ourselves that he kept experienced the same things, but kept going. He endured far more than we ever will. If he did that for us, how can we not give our all for him in response.
Spirit, when the going gets tough, remind me of Jesus.
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