“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do that by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)
We tend to get so encumbered by life. We want to think, and often even say, that we love Jesus with our whole heart. Yet, even as the words cross our mind and/or lips we know, if we’re honest, that it’s a lie. Yes, of course, we want it to be true, and, in some rare moments, perhaps it is. But what’s holding us back? What’s keeping us from loving God with everything we are in every moment?
My daughter has run in a few marathons. She didn’t run them in a snow suit. Why not? What if it was a cold day? It doesn’t matter. Runners dress light, including their shoes, in order to not only maintain the highest speed, but maintain that speed the longest period of time possible.
Even though more than 1700 athletes have now achieved the four-minute mile status, do you think it’s easy? Could you swing by the track after work and run a four-minute mile? Even if you were a seasoned runner, after a full day’s work, it would be highly unlikely. What’s my point? We want to spend minutes with Jesus and His Holy Word and expect to be a “super-Christian.”
First, “Super-Christian’s” don’t exist. There was only One and the mold was broken when He stepped out of the tomb. What we can be is the best possible person of God WE can be, empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit, but it will cost us. Are you willing to pay the price? Are you sure?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could tell you: “Just do this, that, or the other and in 90 days (or 90 years) you’ll be like Jesus.” The truth is, “inch by inch anything’s a cinch.” (Robert Schuller) The first very important and irreplaceable step is to understand that Jesus is the Author of life. What does that mean? It means that there is no life except by and through Him. How do I know that? Because I read John 1:4 that says: “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone.”
Let the words of Ray Majoran’s prayer challenge you as they challenged me to love the Lord, the Author of MY life and YOUR life, in unprecedented ways to His honor and fame.
“Glorious Father, You are the Author of Life, perfect in power and mighty in works. Each day, You lavish Your immeasurable greatness upon us, from the time we open our eyes to the moment we go to sleep. Every good gift comes from You, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).
Lord God, You reveal what is hidden — not only in the world around us, but in the quiet places of our own hearts (Daniel 2:22). Nothing escapes Your notice. Yet we often rush past the stillness where You do Your most profound work. We chase noise, fill the margins, and call it purpose, all while You wait — not demanding more effort, but inviting us to know You as You are. In silence, You refine our thinking. In waiting, You expose what we truly trust. And in the slow, unhurried moments, You show us that knowing You is worth more than anything we could ever accomplish.
Please tune our hearts to hear the silent symphony of Your presence — the steady, unshaken sound of Your voice speaking through the stillness. Disrupt the noise we’ve grown comfortable with. Remove our illusions of control, and confront our pride when we pretend to carry burdens You never asked us to hold. You are God, and we are not. Let us stop pretending otherwise.” (From Silent Symphony – 03-22-25)
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 