Vision Over Visibility (Part 1)

Reflecting on the Word

Running Well

Pastor Jon suggests a number of things from the text that gives us some clues as to how to do this well.  Take a few moments to reflect on these.

1.  Identifying the things that weigh us down, and intentionally limiting our access to them.  Some of our greatest challenges are simply those things that distract us from our focus on the goal, the finish line.

2.  "Look away" to Jesus (a more literal way to read the text).  This is about being intentionally not only about looking away from the distractions, but also toward Jesus. "Don't stare at what you don't want to hit." 

3.  Endure the cross.  Crosses were very visible symbols of what happened to those who did not focus on what Rome wanted you to focus on.  People who suffered on crosses suffered shame at levels we can hardly imagine today.  But despite the "visible" cost, Jesus remained forcus on the vision of the Kingdom - knowing that the only real source of joy was there - despite how it may have looked at times.

4.  Run with perseverance.   In other words, don't stop.  Keep going.  Don't give up.  Just keep on running.  The issue is not that you place ahead or behind anyone else, but rather to realize that God is still along side of you, and will help you over the line.

What other things do you notice from this passage?

What intentional things can I do to shift my focus from what it "visible" to the "vision" of staying focused on Jesus?

What role to our fellow runners play in the race?  What role do we play as fellow runners?

Running the race.  As is the case in the text to the right, most races are less about bursts of speed, and more about keeping pace.  Further, races are generally something we do in the midst of community (other runners) -- they are things we do along with other people.  Some run faster, some are slower.  Some are breathing hard and sweating, others hardly seem to be expending much energy at all.  Sometimes we appear to be passing others, at others, people seem to be passing us.  The tendency, sometimes can be to spend more time focused on those running along side of us, or perhaps even the terrain, then what it is that helps us finish well.

So what does it take to run well?  To finish well?  What about those running along side of us?  Those looking on from the line of spectators?  That's what Pastor Jon explores with us this week.

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Hebrews 12:1-3

  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.