Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV
Faith and perseverance go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.
Have you ever thought about how your own faith keeps you going?
No doubt, we’ve all had days when we just feel tired. Maybe our lesson plans are a flop, or our students are less than engaged. Maybe there is division between coworkers or family members. Or maybe in our personal lives, we are dealing with health concerns or other trials that leave us doubting how much more we can take.
Whatever the circumstance may be, take heart. God gives us faith so that we can endure.
Today’s Scripture from Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us that we can trust that God has given us the power to get through life’s toughest situations. If we dig deeper into the Scripture and the context, we find that the author recalls the saints of old and the hurdles that they overcame through the gift of faith. Prior verses point readers to people like Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Issac, and many more, and what they went through during their toughest moments.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I could leave my entire family for the unknown or place my child on an altar to be sacrificed like Abraham did! Yet their faith led them to do hard things.
Life can be difficult, and the world we live in doesn’t always treat us kindly. Some days, we might find ourselves wondering how we will make it through to the next day. Or maybe we just wonder why and how people or life can be so cruel. But, just as our forefathers did, we are called to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
Each day is a gift, and so is our faith. So today, let your faith in Jesus be your hope. Let it carry you. Let Him carry you.
Father, we pray today that we may embrace our faith and lean into You, Jesus, so that we can persevere and stay the course. In Your name we pray. Amen.
Copyright Angela O’Keefe.
Angela is a Christian Educators member and teaches children with learning disabilities in Florida.
