The Bible speaks frequently in the analogy of a race. The idea of a race gives us the image of training, conditioning, planning, and completion.
This verse from Hebrews 12 also reminds us of the importance of perseverance in life through the example of a race. This morning one of my daughters didn’t want to get up for school. I was reminding her that this school year is almost to the finished line, it’s just a few more days and she needs to give it her all.
“Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews 12:1
Perseverance is hard. We struggle with our own selfish desires and everyday distractions. But this verse reminds us that so many have come before us (read Hebrews 11 for examples of the witnesses who came before us) and they are cheering us on to continue in the faith and doing good works.
Special word for moms, the season of raising our children can seem long and tiring. I encourage you to continue the journey and don’t quit ever. On the days you want to throw in the towel, look and see how far you have come and recognize what a difference you can make in future.
Lay aside the voices in your head that tell you that you are not good enough to be the mom your children need or that everything you do fails. Results from the work of motherhood don’t happen over night. Character training takes years.
I think of my garden. Some plants grow and develop quickly and others take months and years. If you have ever cut a piece from a plant and tried to get a new one to grow. It often seems like nothing is happening, but it is. The roots develop first, then it starts to show the outward growth I can see. We can’t put a time limit on how long it takes for character to grown in our children. Let the seeds of your teaching and the Bible cultivate in the hearts of your children for as long as it takes.
Be encouraged today to continue where you are in the journey. Don’t quit.
