Running with Purpose

08/17/2025

“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.”
- Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Have you ever watched paint dry, I mean, a marathon? Not the sprinters who explode off the line and finish in a matter of seconds, but the long-distance runners who pace themselves mile after mile. Each step is intentional. Every breath is measured. But what always stands out are those moments when a runner, exhausted and tempted to give up, is cheered on by the crowd, those who have finished before, who know the pain, who understand the process.

Today’s verse paints that very picture. The “great cloud of witnesses” refers to the faithful men and women listed in Hebrews 11. Abraham, Moses, Rahab, and so many others who trusted God through impossible circumstances. Their lives now serve as encouragement for us. They remind us that faith is not a sprint; it’s a long, sometimes grueling, race. But it’s worth every step.

The verse also challenges us to examine what might be weighing us down. Just as a runner sheds unnecessary gear, we too are called to lay aside anything that hinders our spiritual progress, be it bitterness, comparison, fear, or hidden sin. These things entangle our feet and trip us up, keeping us from running freely toward Christ.

I once heard the story of a man who trained to run a marathon with a weighted vest. It was part of his regimen to build strength. But come race day, he forgot to remove it. For the first few miles, he didn’t feel the difference. But halfway through, it became unbearable. The weight that once helped him train now held him back from finishing strong.

How often do we carry spiritual “weighted vests,” habits, shame, regrets, or people-pleasing tendencies that are slowing us down without us even realizing it?

We are reminded today to not just run, but to run with perseverance. That means not quitting when life gets hard. Not turning back when faith feels dry. Not looking for shortcuts or detours. It means fixing our eyes on Jesus and pressing forward with purpose and endurance.

Action Steps to help on your journey:

Identify one “weight” in your life that is hindering your spiritual growth. Write it down and begin praying daily to release it.

Spend time reading Hebrews 11 and reflect on the faith of those who have gone before you.

Reach out to someone who’s running their race well and ask them how they’ve persevered.

Today’s Challenge:
Run your race. Not someone else’s. Not a race of comparison or perfection. Run the one God has marked out just for you, with endurance, with freedom, and with faith. And if you’re tired, remember: the crowd is cheering you on, and Christ is waiting at the finish line.

Lord, thank You for the race You’ve set before me. Help me throw off anything that is slowing me down, every sin, every distraction, every lie. Give me the strength to persevere when the path feels long and the hills feel steep. May I keep my eyes on Jesus and trust You every step of the way. I want to finish well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Jeff

#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign