Biblical Success - 5 Hurdles in the Path of Our RaceSample

Hurdle #1 - Attitude

In Hebrews 12:1 we are urged to “run with endurance” a race that is “set before us.”  We call it  “The Race of Life”. We can see that if we need to have endurance it is a long race not a sprint, we don’t need endurance to run a sprint. Today we will look at an aspect of the running track or course that we have been called to run. In past plans have mentioned that our track likely will be more like a steeple-chase than a plain oval with uneven terrain and various obstacles that we will need to deal with along the way. We will call some of them hurdles and relate them to what the scripture calls “weights.” Running a race carrying extra and unneeded weights will hold us back from our best performance and, while we can still run and finish, our goal is not to settle but to press to the high mark.

The first hurdle is our heart attitude. Scripture says “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”I Samuel 16:7b 

God knows, and His Word judges the “thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 6:12,13. 

An attitude that is prideful or arrogant is a huge hurdle. This can be a dangerous hurdle for those who are called to leadership, especially during a season of success. Leaders can surround themselves with others who lack the moral courage to disagree with them but will only speak what they think the leader wants to hear. 

Having been in various leadership roles since my early twenties I know how seductive that can be and I have learned the hard way the value of honest and open counsel. Its not hard to allow arrogance to creep in during success. The evil one fell because of it and he just loves to use that tool against God’s leaders. 

A level of self-awareness that can reveal pride and/or arrogance in our own lives is unusual. It is far more likely to be revealed in relationship with others, especially peers, in open and honest sharing life where there is permission given and taken for speaking the truth in love. If we are married, our best resource is hopefully our mate, but not all marriages can support that level of communication. 

Clearing the hurdle of an attitude is of pride and arrogance is not a once and done event. Many have started their race in humility and fallen because it has been lost for lack of nurture. 

So, what do you think? What thoughts do you have about this “hurdle?” Have you ever faced it? What helps you guard your heart?