Hebrews 12:1 – 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 which is set before us. (KJV)

"Let us run with patience" — it seems to be an oxymoron, for me at least, for I tend to be always thinking ahead. I constantly have to remind myself to appreciate the moment, for it is such a fleeting thing.

The New International Version writes it as "run with perseverance", which seems to give it a little different slant. Perhaps it is me, focusing on the wrong meaning of the word. I'm thinking about "running", in the sense of going fast, passing things by quickly, when I should really see it as "going" or "doing" and not thinking of the word in terms of speed.

We are meant to focus, I believe, on the patience and perseverance part of the scripture, for it continues on to say "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".

It means that whatever we do, whatever hardships, pain or suffering we endure, whatever is set before us, we must face it, do it, go with it, keeping our focus on Christ, living the way in which He would be pleased to see us live, knowing what lies ahead, the joy, at the end of the race.

Prayer: May we, as we go about our daily lives, strive to see You in whatever we do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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