Day 12

“Let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us.”

– Hebrews 12:1

Endurance: the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.

I have never been a fan of going for a run or even jog. It always seemed so boring to me. Why run just to run? Even when I ran in high school with my lacrosse teammates during conditioning training, it felt so aimless and arbitrary. But I sure was thankful for all of those early mornings and late night runs with the team once the season actually started. Even though it just felt like I was running for no reason, my body was gaining endurance and stamina. When it came time to play, I was able to stay in the game as long as the coach needed me to.

Similarly, in the spirit we need to be ready in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2), maintaining our stamina so that, when things get tough, we don’t give in to the lies of the enemy. Hebrews 12:1 describes endurance as “active persistence.” I love that description, because sometimes we may find ourselves just going through the motions in our walk with the Lord, especially when there isn’t something challenging us. We have to make a choice to be active in the spirit and pursue God, pursue a relationship with Him. That way, when trouble does come, which it always will because of the sinful world that we live in, we can stand firm through the trial without giving way. What’s even better is that in James 1:3 it says that “the testing of our faith produces endurance,” so as we persevere through trials, we grow in our faith and gain more endurance!

We have to make a choice to be active in the spirit and pursue God, pursue a relationship with Him.

Confession for today: “Dear heavenly Father, thank you for another day to live for You. Please forgive me if I have become lax in my pursuit of a relationship with You. Help me kick it up a notch in the spirit so that I can be ready for whatever comes my way and stand firm against the attacks of the enemy, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Let your light shine,

Bre