Hebrews 12:1 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 perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to JESUS the pioneer 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.
DISCUSSION
Although the writer of the letter to the Hebrews never mentions his name, many attribute the authorship of this epistle to Paul. One of the purposes of the Hebrews letter was to encourage Christians to remain faithful to the faith, despite the hostility around them. Since Greek athleticism and the Olympic Games were well known, the author compares living the Christian life to running a race with perseverance.
The idea of running a race with perseverance means that there will be difficulties, opposition, even temporary setbacks and there may even be so called “failures” during the run. But despite these things, the runner runs on toward the finish line where the ultimate prize awaits. The author states that just like in the Olympic games in a great Greek amphitheater, Christians should remind themselves that there is a great “cloud” of people (i.e. witnesses) there to both cheer them on and to provide inspiration. These include those great Olympians of the Old Testament, mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, those great “Olympians of Faith.”
Some of the great Olympians of Faith include Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, David and Samuel. There were also women, such as Sarah and Rahab.
But, most of all, HE, who ran a perfect race and is now seated at the right hand of GOD---our EMANUEL (meaning “GOD with us”) ---is our greatest victor and supporter. HE not only sees us and is with us. HE is able to carry us to the finish line to victory!
Run
In “15 Reasons Why Running Is Good For You,” the writers list a number of reasons to run. Here are just a few:
- Running is good for life-According to a University of British Columbia study there was a 20 to 50 percent reduction in premature death in individuals who ran at least 2 miles per day.
- Running improves cardiac Health-The heart is a muscle, pumping blood and providing oxygen and nutrients to the body. Even a moderate running routine can help to lower blood pressure and improve cardiac functioning. Researchers found that running 16 miles per week can halt the advance of heart disease and that running 22 miles a week may reverse the effects of developing cardiovascular disease.
- Running burns off fat-Running is a great way to shed extra pounds.
- Running improves bone health-Running may be one of the best ways to improve bone density health. A comparison was made between runners and cyclists by researchers at the University of Missouri. It was found that 63% of cyclists had low density in the spine and hip bone as compared to 19% of runners.
- Running is a great immune booster-Researchers in Sweden found that people who run at least one hour per day were 18% less likely to develop infections of the upper respiratory tract compared to people who are inactive.
See,“15 Reasons Why Running Is Good For You,” by the Editorial Staff, March 6, 2013, www. Humannhealth.com.
Kids Should Run
In “5 Reasons Kids Should Run,” the authors point out that running is good for brain functioning:
Studies have shown that just a little bit of aerobic exercise each day can actually create new brain cells and improve memory (you can tell a sport is “aerobic” because it causes you to be out of breath, but you can still do it longer than five minutes). One test showed that students who ran for 30 minutes were better able to memorize and remember information than when they stayed still or lifted weights.
See, “5 Reason Kids Should Start Running, www.run,isport.com. Although many blame video games, television and car-pooling children to school as part of the reason for the problem that “our kids have stopped moving,” and that “5.3 million kids, or 12 percent of all youth age 6 to 17, are seriously overweight,” and that “one quarter of all American under age 19 are overweight,” the good news, according to Hal Higdon, a frequent contributor to the “Runner’s World” is that children’s running is on the rise. Running parents and their running children are discovering together that running can be fun.
Advice From An Older Runner
100 year-old Ida Keeling is still running. She became an avid racer in her 60’s. She still holds the record for the fastest time for her age group (age 95-99) for the 60-meter dash (29.86 seconds). After losing two sons to drug violence, she began running with her daughter as a method to deal with “life’s hardships.”
In a You Tube clip, she offers this advice to those procrastinating about running or exercising: “Take what you don’t like doing and do it first, then get rid of it.” See a clip of Isa Keeling at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGKtjvaG-ec. [Paste in your browser.]
When it was reported on April 30, 2016 that Ida Keeling had set a new world record for her 100 year-old group, finishing the 100 meter dash in 1 minute, 17 seconds, she had this to say:
"I'm a nice example of what you can do for yourself, and I thank God everyday for my blessings," said Ida Keeling, Masters Mixed 100-meter dash.
Her daughter, however, noted that her mother “works hard” to stay in shape. She spends 17 minutes on her stationary bike, she has weights at home, she does squats and she does push-ups.
Dressing in what looks like a nice “Sunday Hat, “Ida Keeling, barely 4 feet 6 inches, is a wonderful sight to behold running on the race track:
100 year-old Ida Keeling exercising
Don’t Give Up; Don’t Give In
Hebrews tells us to “lay aside” anything weighing us down or holding us back from doing GOD’s work and following HIS WORD. If we are to “be more than conquers” (Romans 8:37); if we are to “do all things through CHRIST” (Philippians 4:13) we have to run a spiritual race.
If we are to present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD,” “which is
[our] reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1, we have to pray, have faith and work at it. Like Ida Keeling, we have to keep running, even when we don’t always feel like it.
So, RUN, RUN, RUN. And, BE BLESSED!
