The Race of Patience

“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

One of the things that has struck me recently is how difficult life can be. For ancient Christians, as it is for many of our Christian brothers and sisters globally and especially in the Global South, the Christian life is marked by terrible persecution. This is in addition to the daily travails of distress, disease and death.

For many of us, while we may not experience the suffering of persecution, we will nonetheless experience other kinds of suffering: disease diagnoses, marriage falling apart, job insecurity and unemployment, relationship strain, depression and other mental health issues, the list is seemingly endless.

Although we may be tempted to ask “why?” Scripture doesn’t give us specific answers for our specific difficulties. It only gives us a generalized answer: we live in a world filled with brokenness and sin, and we are both simultaneously perpetrators and victims of brokenness and sin.

However, Scripture does answer the question, “Now what?” The answer: no matter what, God loves us and has sent His Holy Spirit in us. And if this same Holy Spirit gave life to Christ’s dead body, then He also gives us life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). With His strength and power in us, we are encouraged to run the race of our lives, filled with difficulties and all, with patience, perseverance and endurance.

How do you feel today? Tired, exhausted, burdened, weak? The Lord knows exactly how we feel. He knows the race that is set before us. It is no surprise to Him. All He calls us to do is to be patient, to persevere and endure, to be faithful to the end.

Patience, perseverance and endurance are all byproducts of faith. We can only exhibit these traits when we trust and have faith in Christ that He has us in the palms of His hand. Do you see His palms? They still bear the nail marks of His great love for us. If the nails didn’t stop His love for us, can anything else separate us from His love? Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, Paul reminds us (Romans 8:39).

Today, may we lift our eyes off our difficulties and instead fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. And then run with patience the race set before us.