“You will run and not grow weary.”
Sometimes, like luggage lost in transit, we wonder where our motivation to run has gone.
And we think, “Lord, how can I continue?”
If you have experienced this in some area of your calling, hear God say:
“These are my gifts to you—faith, freedom, and determination. And no one can take these supplies from you.
You have neither lost your courage for the journey nor left it behind.
For I am right here—and my Spirit is within you.”
4 Supplies to Help You Run and Not Grow Weary
1. Freedom to Run
“Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb 12:1b-2a, NKJV)
If you have been experiencing pressure lately, you are not alone! Receive a gift of faith to cast off that cloak of heaviness.
The enemy wants to turn our laid-down life into a weighed-down life.
But God’s invitation is, “Travel lighter, for I am calling you to run further.”
The writer to the Hebrews exhorts, “Let us lay aside every weight”.
And “to lay aside” could also be translated to cast off (Strong’s G659).
A runner may wear a jacket to the starting line, but before the race begins, that jacket must go! And just because that garment was given to you by someone else, does not mean you must wear it.
- Be free of expectations, to run where only you can go.
And run the race with endurance.
2. Strength to Overcome Sin
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
Sin may be a skillful opponent, but we have something far more significant—strength from God.
And the truth of His Word sets you free.
The Greek word translated “ensnares us” is a compound, meaning, “Well standing around that is (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction…skilfully surrounding.” (Strong’s G2319 )
It makes you think of those sports where an opponent tries to block your progress. And basketball and rugby are vivid examples of this!
Let’s take a moment to meditate on this because it’s the truth from God’s perspective: Sin is what opposes us, not what is inherently wrong with us.
- When you are born again, you are sanctified by Christ (1 Cor 6:11)
You can tell sin, “Get out of my way, for I am coming through.”
for you are about to run with endurance.
3. The Faith Stories of God’s Word
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…”
The Holy Spirit wants to make the word come alive to you!
And the “heroes of faith”, such as Abraham and Sarah, are not just cheering you on remotely. They are in Heaven, but they can also be found right here, in the “stadium” of the Word, which is living and active.
It’s like those “pop-up” books that we had as children—we turned the page and there were suddenly 3-dimensional scenes and characters!
It was as though they came alive.
And they caused amazement and wonder.
As Paul says in Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance…we might have hope” (Rom 15:4, AMP).
We can be spurred on to run by these forerunners of faith, their stories, and the lessons they share.
4. Jesus Who has Run Ahead
“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:1-2, NKJV)
God’s Word is your compass, and Jesus is your due north—He is your destination. He says, “Pick up your compass, look and behold Me.”
The writer to the Hebrews is again referring to his conversation about faith—and reminds us that we have something that the “heroes of the faith” did not.
Jesus, who has now gone ahead of us.
So remove that heavy garment, and shove your contender, sin, out of the way. Now, fix your eyes upon Him.
Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)
That means that in every trial you face, you can rest in this fact: Jesus has already overcome this—He has completed the race.
And you are running, with endurance, in the victory He has already won.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
A Prophetic Word from the Word
I love how the Holy Spirit can speak through a familiar Bible passage in a fresh way. I invite you to share your insights from Hebrews 12:1-2 in the comments below. Which point has spoken to you today?
Notes:
[1] For further study:
Paul also uses the analogy of the games in his writing. See 1 Cor 9:24-27, 2 Tim 2:5, 2 Tim 4:7-8.
(He speaks of it so vividly, I wonder whether he saw an event)
Related Post: God Says, “I Am Giving You Power To Stay on Track”
14 Years of Enliven Blog
Enliven Blog has its 14th birthday this week! When I began blogging, I didn’t know how I could write for a month, let alone 14 years. It’s only by the grace of God that we are here!
I want to pause and say thank you, to our partners and our readers.
I especially wish to thank my husband Malcolm, who patiently endures those long nights (like right now!) when I’m working on the blog.
My team members Karen Stuckey and Sue Guthrie, who work alongside me. And Prophet David and Margaret McCracken, who had the vision and courage to bring me into their ministry team over 12 years ago. My board, including Lynley Allan, my pastors, and all who have contributed along the way.
Thank you for inspiring me, speaking into my life, and leading by example.
All glory to Jesus for His grace.
With our love and thanks,
Helen (and Malcolm) Calder
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Helen,
As ever, a really great post where you untie some big themes and release them to us with a real sense of meaning. It is really helpful how you shared about the runner – that a borrowed jacket may for a time be a welcomed blessing, but when its time to run, it will only hold back the athlete.
From Hebrews 12:1, the image of running with endurance is the thing I find echoing within me. The race we have is never ending because Jesus is constantly calling us to pursue Him, not because He never wants us to encounter Him, rather the opposite – because He wants us to encounter Him in a higher, better and more profound way than we could ever realise! What a God!
Thank you for giving the encouragement to reflect further – He is doing a good thing.
Happy birthday to the blog too! Thanks ever so much for all you do to release blessing to us.
Much love to you from us here,
Sashi
Thank you Sashi, yes to encountering Him in a higher, more profound way!
We appreciate you
Thank you Helen for receiving from God to give to us. The statement “The enemy wants to turn your laid down life to a weighed down life” was just what my three weeks weighed down life has been waiting for. The words passed through me like an electric current, and by the time I finished reading through, I truly found myself back where I belong..Hallelujah. May the Lord increase his unction upon you. Happy 14th Birthday to our life changing Blog.
Elizabeth
Hallelujah, yes freedom is yours, Elizabeth!
Thank you
This is very good. Thank you. Have you ever thought that mental illness can be caused by a weight or burden impressed on the mind? This is the warfare of the mind. To discern which weight is from God, the devil or us is how heavy the weight is. Jesus said his burden is not even a weight. He said it is light. The light is the anointing he puts on us to ignite our spirits. But when we doubt the word in season the burden begins to weigh us down. How do we declutter from this in your own revelation?
Yes I’ve been thinking about this “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11, 28-30 NKJV
I really was spoken to by the sentence: “Sin is what opposes us, not what is inherently wrong with us.”
I was a little put off by the idea of the heroes that have gone before us watching from heaven because I find so very many places in the Bible that speak of the non-consciousness of those who “sleep the sleep of death,” but overall this was a great word for me right now. Thank you.
Interesting Kathy, and thanks, as I only mentioned that because it’s the traditional view I’ve heard my whole life. But I can remove it…The key point I was making was they speak through the Word.
What does everybody else think?
Hi Helen,
It’s an interesting thing, and perhaps I am not sure what my sister Kathy is completely saying.
That said, a danger of removing this point is that the Lord has written truth into Hebrews with our heroes surrounding us for the very reason that their faith is beckoning us in pursuit of the King!
I am reminded of the word Jesus spoke to the Sadducees in Luke 20:27-39 esp v38 where Jesus specifically reminds the Jews that God was the God of the living, not the dead. Paul states that those before us are asleep, but they are not dead. We have a living Saviour who has dealt with the sting of death.
The faith of those heroes of course is then intended to do something profound. As we ‘hear their faith shout’ our attention is called forth to look at Jesus, the author and finisher, who has tasted death on behalf of us all, but spat it out through His resurrection! (a provocative thought I know!).
So please, I urge you, do not remove it.
Blessings to you both,
Sashi
thank you Sashi
The fact that God can help us through this journey of faith and He doesn’t leave us just to ourselves is a great encouragement. Thanks ma. I was blessed by this writeup.
Amen, thank you
Could you please pray for me as I am attending a job interview on Monday. I have been out of job for the past two years. I have had a lot of rejections of my previous job applications. I know our God is a miracle working God.
Thank you so much.
Yes Father, we thank You that the right job is going to open up for Sujatha, the appointed job. That favor is going to open the door and strength is going to keep Sujatha,
In Jesus’ name
Timely word, Woman of God
God bless you, Claudine