by Christine Berglund

Fix My Eyes on Jesus

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2 New International Version

I recently attended a memorial service for a member of my church who was only 59 and had fought against cancer for nine years. At age 50, after being diagnosed with cancer, he decided to pick up the hobby of running marathons and other distance races. In the last nine years of his life, he ran over 35 races, and he did very well. I’m sure Gordon was not happy with the race that was marked out for him when he received his cancer diagnosis at such a young age with a wife and three young adult children. I did not know Gordon very well, but the testimony of his family revealed a man who ran with perseverance physically and spiritually. One of his first races occurred while he was undergoing chemotherapy and involved running up a mountain. Gordon wasn’t perfect, but he knew his Savior and claimed the forgiveness and grace that He offers. Gordon was known for always having a smile on his face even in his last days in the hospital. Isaiah 40 tells us that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and will run and not grow weary.

I have not always run the race before me with endurance. I’m heavy-set, fluffy, overweight, however you want to say it, and I have been so for most of my life. One of the most dreaded things of my childhood was the annual Presidential Physical Fitness testing in school PE class. It was a source of embarrassment and shame for me, and nothing was worse than the long-distance run which required us to run one and a half laps around my elementary school for the test. I didn’t love my PE teacher and thought he encouraged some of the bullying that was directed to those of us who were less athletically inclined, even nicknaming one of the huskier boys in class “Pork Chop.” In sixth grade, I was apparently fed up and my teenage attitude developed and I decided that Mr. K. couldn’t make me run. I defiantly walked the entire lap and a half around the school even when he stood with his stopwatch near the finish line imploring me to just hurry it up already.

Thankfully, most of us don’t have PE class anymore, but how do we run the other races that are set before us? Are we stubborn, grumbling and complaining or sitting down on the side of the track ready to quit? Are we hoping in Jesus and trusting that he is with us and for us? Gordon’s race on earth is over, and we heard these beautiful words at his service:

^“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 English Standard Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado