Run The Race With Patience

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

                                                                                       (Heb 12:1-2 KJV)

What sin besets you today? Are you living with hope? Are you living so that you might be helpful to others and in the long run to yourself? Or, do you look at everything like your world is coming to an end? 

St. Paul advises us to lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily beset us. Lay aside your negativity and put one foot in front of the other so that you might continue to run the race that is set before us all. Not everyone is happy with the restrictions that have been placed upon us due to COVID-19. But, this will pass. It is a time to come together even if we cannot be together. Each of us can be fruitful by living carefully so that we might not harm any others. It will take patience as we are very social beings. It is difficult for many not to socialize frequently. Staying home may be a challenge; but, it is what is needful for the health of our neighbors. It is a little thing to do to help save our loved ones as well as our neighbors whom we may not even know. 

Do not be overcome with this weight. This, too, shall pass. Continue to run this race with patience and hope. Believe that God is with you and for you and working in and through you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Not Fear

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"   (Matt 6:25-27 NRSV)

There have been times in my life that I have been quite confrontational when it comes to injustice. Where others were shrinking back and warning me that I should too for safety's sake, I have advanced. I did indeed consider the worst case scenarios before I advanced. What is the worst thing that could happen to me? What is there to fear? Nothing, not even death! I have eternal life.

When considering a new venture; whether it be a new job or investing in a project or a person or whatever challenge the day might bring; again, the same question. What have I to fear? Nothing! Life in this world is temporary. It will all pass. I have eternal life.

Jesus knowingly went forward to the cross; to his death, that we might live. He could have gone in the other direction. He could have; but, he did not. He did not shrink back from saving the world; even though much of the world would reject him. He did not pretend that everything in the world was okay. He was willing to give even his life because the world was not okay.

Do not fear. Our Father in heaven loves you. Believe this and you too will have nothing to fear. You will be much more able to attempt to make radical changes within yourself and in the world around you with the knowledge that God is with you and for you. The world may abandon you. You may even lose many things in this world that you now treasure. But, there is nothing to fear. By faith, you have received eternal life.
 
May God help us to always stand in His truth; in His Way, no matter what possible dangers may lay before us. May He help us to remember that we have nothing to fear for through God's own Son, Jesus the Christ, we have eternal life.

God's Peace - Pr. J