“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
http://bible.com/116/heb.12.1-2.nlt
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m a big fan of the comic book movies and tv shows. Of course you have your classics like Batman and Superman, but I’m heavy into the other characters that have really gotten shine as of late. One of my favorites is the tv show “The Flash.” It’s more than just a guy who has the power to run to fast. Some of his issues come from what he has to deal with mentally.
Mental blocks sometimes hinder his abilities. So while he’s able to overcome tricks and traps his enemies come up with to slow him down, his biggest obstacle is himself. What he tells himself in his mind and in his heart really drive how much of his abilities he is able to actualize. When he gets in a bind and is feeling uncertain the thing they always tell him is to “RUN.”
There was nothing else he needed. He had his community of support and these powerful abilities that he could access at any time. The only thing stopping him was himself. The Bible says in Proverbs “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV) In other words, it’s what is on the inside that determines your actions. It’s not just having self-confidence. As one of my church mothers used to say, “It’s having Christ-confidence that makes the difference.”
Not just mustering up a bunch of fleshy motivation that you can do anything. It’s knowing who you are in Christ and that His power rests on the inside of you that builds a resolve on the inside of you to overcome the challenges of life. Barry Allen as the Flash constantly faces what seem to be insurmountable obstacles. Most nothing like we’ll face. We won’t face villains who are half man half shark, or can time travel or giant gorillas with super intelligence and mind control.
We will face things in life that seem, in our minds, just as crazy or too big for us to handle. This is where our faith in Christ steps in. A resolve on the inside that through Christ anything is possible. This challenge that seems unbeatable must come to grips with the face that I’m a child of the Most High God and there is no failure in God. We may attempt things and it not turn out the way we planned, but that does not mean you’re a failure. God’s plan for you is to succeed.
As Lecrae put it, “Every loss is a lesson.” In other words, if it doesn’t go as you planned know that God has a bigger plan and this may be part of it. If you’re in His will and following His plan for your life the end is not failure. Christ is our hope. Though times get tough we have to run this race with endurance knowing in Christ we have the victory in the end.
That leads us to our Throwback Song of the Week. It is from Lamp Mode recording artist Json. This is from his 2008 project entitled “Life On Life.” The track is entitled “Run” and is encouragement to keep running the race that Christ has set before us. Tune into Trackstarz this Saturday to hear DJ Jeremaya spin this on the 1’s and 2’s for the Throwback Song of the Day. Check it out and let us know what you think. Until next time…
Peace and blessings,
Damo
