COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

The Race of Faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

As we look back to those who have gone before us and faced harder challenges than we have, we are reminded that this race is possible, that we are not running alone, and that God is with us. The author of Hebrew gives us three commands for a successful race:

1. Throw-off
2. Persevere
3. Fix

The first command is to ... Throw off

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1

In our relationship with God, there are many things that hinder us, distract us, and separate us from the Lord. It could be a friendship, a habit, a pleasure, or entertainment. Is there something that hinders your relationship with God? Something that is a weight in your spiritual life? If you want to run the race effectively you need to get rid of all hindrances in your life.

The other obstacle in the race that we need to get rid of is sin. Sin easily entangles us, ensnares us, immobilizes us. What sin is it that so easily entangles you? Whatever it is, it must be thrown away.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Eliud Kipchoge is a Kenyan who won 12 of 13 marathons that he ran. He is the world record holder. On October 12, 2019, in Vienna, he challenged himself to run the marathon in less than 2 hours. He finished the race in 1h 59m 40s! How was it possible? Eliud Kipchoge starts to prepare for a race many months before. He leaves his home and goes to a high-altitude area, lives with a group of runners, training day after day. It requires discipline, sacrifice and throwing away of every unnecessary weight and distractions. If we want to run the race of faith, we need to throw off all hindrances.

The second command is to … Persevere

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” The word race in Greek is agon, from which we have the word agony. As we saw above, the race of faith has many things trying to hinder us. It is a whole life marathon with obstacles all the way, a real test of endurance.

The word perseverance implies the idea of pressing on to the end in spite of the difficulties, one step at a time, never giving up. Facing the new coronavirus epidemic, especially for those in Wuhan, has been a very hard trial. The word of God encourages us to persevere, to persist, never give up!

The third command is to … Fix

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Fixing our eyes on means to look to, and to rely upon Jesus. Consider how Jesus endured opposition and the shame of the cross. He did all this because of the joy set before Him, the joy of accomplishing his mission, of giving us a new life through his death and resurrection. What a joy, what glorious victory! Fixing our eyes on Jesus is resting assured that we are in Him, that we are loved, accepted and saved in Him.

This race is a race of joy. A race that we are not running on our own, but running in Christ, in a relationship with Christ. As we face yet another day of the corona-unknown, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus”!

By L.M., Shanghai