The Race of Grace

UV 3329/10000 The Race of Grace
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.

Hebrews 12 v 1

On account of our faith, we have opted out of the rat race humanity finds itself in. We are part of the great race. In the rat race, everything depends on our efforts. The only goal is to get ahead of others in terms of position and possessions. In the great race, what matters is availing the grace of God. It is our efforts plus grace of God to remain victorious in life’s struggles. In the rat race, there is no sense of direction but only a frantic and desperate struggle to survive somehow, pushing others aside whenever required, using others to climb over hurdles, whenever possible.

We are not only part of a different race but we are called to be a separate race of humanity consisting of people of different nationalities, languages, cultures. The evidence of the faith experience of so many people who have gone before us as well as our contemporary witnesses of Jesus belonging to these different nations, languages and cultures convince and convict us of the need for changes in our lifestyle. We are saved by the word of God and the testimony of faithful witnesses- the two sides of the currency of the kingdom of God. As someone said, “when prayer becomes our habit, miracles become our lifestyle.” We are to cast away our burdens, worries, fears, anxieties, guilt, weaknesses, failures and focus on Jesus, the locus of our lives. Anything that slows us down, hampers our progress as followers of Jesus is to be thrown away as garbage in exchange for the vision and values of Jesus.

We do not expect overnight change but we are to show patience, determination, discipline and diligence in our daily walk with Jesus. We are here for the long haul. Our perspective is eternal, our reflection is internal. Trials, troubles, hostility, opposition, persecution should not discourage us. Our goal is not earthly pleasures and rewards but what we will receive from the hand of the Commander-in-Chief. We keep plodding on through good and tough times. We do not rely on our own wisdom, strength or abilities though we will be faithful in using every moment and resource the Lord gives us.