That phrase from Hebrews 12 had me puzzled for some time until I began running. I've told you before that I am not very fast. I don't ever expect to win a race, let alone my age/gender division (unless, of course, there is only one person in the age/gender division --like the Arthur Cheese Festival Rat Race. I did, in fact, win my age/gender division in the 10k. So there!)
It now makes sense to "run with patience." A runner really has to pace himself. If you start out too fast, you might not have enough kick at the end to finish strong. If you start out too slow, you will miss your goal by seconds or minutes. You have to be patient!
Such is our spiritual walk. Often we look at Christians around us and think, "Wow, they have grown so much in the Lord." Or, "They sure must be super-Christians. Listen to them talk about the Word." Or, "I wish I knew as much as they did." Or, "I wish I had as much faith as they have."
Or, on the flip side, "Why don't they just grow up in the Lord?" "Don't they know that the Holy Spirit wouldn't approve of that?" "Why aren't they faithful like the Bible commands?"
Everyone grows in grace at their own pace. Granted, there are times when we need someone to give us a swift kick so we will pick up our pace, but let's realize that we are all at different mileposts in life. Let's focus on our own race and not on everyone else running before or behind us!
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