On the Shoulders of GiantsSample

Keep Running for Jesus

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -Hebrews 12:1

Nannie Helen Burroughs, born in 1878, dedicated her life to carving out space for Black women and girls in places where they were excluded. For twenty years, she was principal at the National Training School for Women and Girls she founded in Washington, DC, in 1909.

The school accepted mostly working-class students from the United States, Canada, Africa, Central America, and the West Indies. Nannie loved people and had a deep devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many Black forbears are part of a “cloud of witnesses” who pursued God’s call (Hebrews 11; 12:1). They fought oppression and persevered with an undivided faith in the Lord. Many did not see the justice they dedicated their life to. Truth be told, we’re yet fighting for much of the same, as the baton has been passed to us.

God exhorts us in how to run the race marked out for each of us with Jesus as our example. Jesus was intentional about where He went, when He prayed, whom He visited, when He ate and fasted, and where He performed miracles.

When the time came for Him to suffer on the cross and die for the sins of the world, He did it for the joy set before Him. He loves us and has prepared a place for all believers in Christ (John 14:3), where we will dwell in glory (Revelation 21–22).

Let’s keep running for Jesus.

Ekemini Uwan

What might hinder and keep us from running our race?

God, thank You for our great cloud of witnesses. As we run with intention, we are fixing our eyes on Jesus, who is the joy set before us.