Run the race in Panama

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

In the weeks leading up to me moving to Panama, God brought this passage to my mind and attention over and over again. I guess He wanted to get His message across. I have a race set before me this year and God gave me last minute instructions before I headed out.

I need to focus on the race at hand, the first part of the verse says to lay aside the weight that will slow me down. These aren’t sins, but rather things that will slow down my race here in Panama. To date that weight has been home, I miss home and the people there. While this is a good thing (to love the people back home), it can easily become a weight, hindering the work down here in Panama.

The second thing is to lay aside the sin. My sin nature lives in my and a famous saying is ‘Wherever you go, you take ‘you’ with you’ (or something like that) As I move down here I must realize that while some of my sin habits, or the things that tempted me back home might be gone, the root sin still exists and that is what needs to be dealt with through confession and obedience.

Finally look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Its so simple, so effective yet so many times so difficult. Its encouraging that there is a promise at the end of the verse, if I continually look to Jesus I won’t grow weary or fainthearted.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.