Hebrews 12:1 let us run with patience the race that is set before us

This weeks Come, Follow Me chapters could not have been more perfect for the week that we had at our house. I have always loved to relate spiritual matters with running; however, I could not have foreseen this years season or the way it would give the ideal analogy to what Hebrews testifies to us of how to live our lives fully committed to God’s will. 

Hebrews 11: 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear

Cross country is in full swing, Chelsea is fully committed, she listens with exactness to her coach, trusts him with her whole heart, endures all the hard training, eats healthy foods, gets lots of sleep, hydrates, and does her mental relaxation drills. She is “all in.” Every race she got better and better, her performances improved, and she moved up the ladder on her team. By conference she was running #3 on her team and #8 over all. This was the same group of girls who would be at state. She knew she had one more race, and she was ready to PR (personal record) again. She had put in the work, and it was time for it to all come together. If she did her part, and her teammates did theirs they could upset the state championship, and win the whole thing. A dream come true. 

Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened usafter their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemed to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

Three days before state, Chelsea got a respiratory infection that immediately settled in her lungs. She went to the doctor to get antibiotics, but it was a virus, and so they advised her not to run. Chelsea turned on her faith full blast in order to tap into the powers of heaven to help her. She followed every health tip she could get her hands, she gargled oregano and on-guard oil, drank warm lemon water, created a steam of eucalyptus, and ate crushed garlic. With her hopes high she went to bed with a fever, knowing the Lord would provide if she did her part.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The gun goes off and Chelsea is behind her teammates, you can instantly see her struggle. Her teammates are running out of their minds. Chelsea’s teammates come in 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, and 12th. Chelsea runs a disappointing, yet incredible race of 19th. With burning lungs, she nearly passes out at the end, and for the next hour she struggles to stay connected with reality. Her teammates carry her to pictures and stand by to support her in any way they can. It was absolutely beautiful. The best part, they upset the Fayetteville team and won state. Dream come true!…

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

…For everyone but Chelsea. Her immediate feelings were that the Lord didn’t answer her prays. She had all the faith that he would, she did her part, and she trusted, so what happened? Why can’t she be a great runner, she works so hard and does everything that is asked of her? Why does she get sick or injured every state meet? She was filled with questions and frustrations. That night I just gave her a hug and let her go to bed. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him. 

The next couple of days were filled with tender mercies, as the Lord showed her how her faith was not in vain, he did sustain her, and answered her prayers. The race that she was called to run, was not the race that she thought she was running. Her championship wasn’t run on the stand with the medal and the trophy. Chelsea had been part of a much bigger picture, and it started in the beginning of her season, as she sought to put the Lord first, and to find ways to bring Heavenly Father into her running. 

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. 

Throughout the season she would bring a scripture verse to memorize to help her get through the next three miles. She shared this with their teammates  and they would all memorize it together, especially Lilly, who reminded Chelsea to bring the scripture to the next race. It helped bring a bond between Chelsea’s and Lilly, and to strengthen both of them. It was apparent that when Chelsea was hurt, Lilly tapped into that power from the scriptures and from her Heavenly Father and ran best race of the season. 

Hebrew 13:1 Let brotherly love continue 

Chelsea would wait after her races to congratulate the other runners. She built true friendships with her competitors. After this race, Chelsea wasn’t feeling well, and could barely see. Her bus driver was helping her walk off the finish line area when Chelsea saw blue, and she asked to be put by the blue. There was her good friend, from the opposing team, who had obviously had a terrible race as well, and was crying. Chelsea sat down by her and just sobbed. They held each other and cried and cried. The next day, her friend sent a text and told her she had never battled a stronger spiritual battle, she could feel the adversary working on her the entire race, then she saw a pink braid (Chelsea colored a piece of her hair pink), and she knew she wasn’t alone, and that she was going to be okay. If Chelsea had run the race she came to run, she wouldn’t have been there to rescue her friend during her spiritual battle. Both girls were running a race that wasn’t physical. 

Hebrew 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 

The Lord needs us in ways that we may not understand. He will fortify and strengthen us so that we are able to finish the race we are sent here to run. It will require greater hope, greater faith, and greater patience then the race that we desire, but the end result will be greater blessing not only for ourselves, but for those around us. As we seek the Lord’s will, we will be able to labor side by side the Savior in His great work to save us all. 

Hebrew 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I love all these chapters, and I wasn’t able to pull all their goodness into one post. But I love that Chelsea’s greatest race was different than the one she thought she was training and running for. Our race is most likely different too. I pray that we can see God’s hand in our lives, and seek eyes to see and ears to hear His will. We need God in our lives, and he needs us! He gives us a place of belonging where we can rest assured that we are fully loved, watched over, and protected. Where we can love others, watch over others, and protect others. Love never faileth, and God’s love is eternal, never ending, complete, and tender.

May we feel his loving touch this week in our lives, and pray to know how we can run our race with patience, be a shoulder to cry on, and bring the word of God to others. 

Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire. 

-Written by Sherri Jorgensen