Hebrews 12:1 Running the Race

Hebrew 12:1 KJV Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:1 NLT 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.

Hebrews 12:1 AMPC Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great of witnesses [who have borne testimony tho the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 

I was just reading about Eliud Kipchoge the other day. Saturday, he came close to breaking the 2-hour marathon barrier. A sub-two-hour marathon would involve running 4:34 per mile for 26.2 miles. It baffles me the kind of mental and physical strength involved to undertake such a feat. In the end he only missed it by 25 or 26 seconds (I have seen both quoted) but it looks like a sub-two hour marathon is a real possibility. 

Chris Derrick, one of the pacers for Kipchoge on Saturday, is quoted to say "I was already pretty excited to run a marathon but now in some ways I'm more inspired and in some ways more afraid, because seeing that a person can run that pace for that long is almost scary." 

I think of the mental and physical preparation that must of been involved. No excuses. That is how we have to run our race for God. First, we need to find out what it is that God wants us to do with our life. Then we need to do it with all that we have. We need to be passionate. We need to be dedicated. We can't let our laziness or excuses get in the way. (This shirt made me and my daughter laugh. )

A good start is getting into our word and reading the bible. I know life gets in the way but we can't let it. Even if its a few minutes each day, we need to try to make it every day. The bible promises such blessings for those that are in Gods word and follow his way. One example is in Psalm 1. 
I urge you: find out what God wants you to do and do it with all your strength and might. If you not sure what it is - pray to him ask him. Demand that he make it clear because we do not want to waste our precious time we have on this earth.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

I take these verses as a promise. When I am unsure what to do, I pray to God and say "Lord, you said that you WILL show me what path to take. This is YOUR responsibility to guide me. Remove confusion and show me the way." We can go through life with confidence knowing that we have placed our trust in the Lord to guide us. If we pray that, it becomes the Lords responsibilty to guide us and all we have to do is follow.