Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV) ) 1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Temperance is not a goal in life, but the way of reaching a goal. Temperance is what we do so we can run with endurance the race that is set before us, to accomplish the will of God in all of our life and to follow the example of Jesus. Finding and fulfilling the will of God seems to be the only goal large enough to encompass our whole life and challenging enough to bring our life into balance.
It would be great if the race alone brought such order and balance to our life that we never had to give a second thought to falling prey to excess that our human spirit is vulnerable to. But, most of us know from experience that this is not the case. Our commitment to do the will of God gives us the motive and the desire to lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, but it’s like trying to run a race with a long flowing robe on. We are committed to the race but keep tripping over the flowing robe. We may even like the comfort of the robe despite the problem it gives us, and is a fair description of those habits that so engulf our life we cannot shake them off.
We need some power if we are going to run the race with joy. We can do it because we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, heroes of the faith meant to give us inspiration so that we might be faithful in doing God’s will and discover the joy. They are like the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day that went before the people of Israel on their journey to the Promised Land. We have a cloud of witnesses in the special people God provides for each of us who inspire us, encourage us, and empower us with a sense of God’s commitment to us.
But, to lay aside these encumbrances and sins we need the power of Jesus Himself, fixing our eyes on Him in devotionals and scripture reading, looking at Jesus intentionally and as intently as possible. Watch the economy of His language and the potency of His action. React to His reactions to people, to friend and foe alike. Get a feel for His emotions, the reason for them, and the way they are expressed. Experience the peace, the joy, and the heartache of His life. And most importantly remember that no matter how well we get to know this Person, there is always more to know, and that knowledge will open up new vistas and vision for our life. And, look to Jesus in public worship. Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, we neither deny nor focus on our personal weaknesses. We simply ignore them and give our attention to God, pushing aside all the clutter in our life for a moment and making room for God at the center.
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope February 3, 1991
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell Broyles
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