-Beth Moore
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
This verse really spoke to me this morning. I can remember talking to my mentor and friend, Kim Scott, about "pushing back the darkness." What does it mean to live a victorious life? According to this verse, I think it means several things...
1) Recognizing who surrounds us. Specifically, those in Hebrews 11 whose witness stirs us to run and win! They have gone before us, and it has been said of them "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"
2) Throwing everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. With each new day that God gives me, I realize it is impossible to live victorious without "pushing back the darkness." I must always run with perseverance the race marked out for me. I can't stop. There is no such thing as coasting in a Christ follower's life. Scripture says that we should leave no such room or foothold for the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Paul is saying, "Don't give the devil an opportunity." When I talk about "pushing back the darkness," I am talking about not being passive. I must be active. Joyce Meyer says, "One of the devil's most deceiving tricks is to get you to do nothing and to feel content about it." We must throw off every little thing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. It's not about not doing anything wrong, but it is about doing good! It's about following Christ with our whole heart, seeking Him first each and every day. As believers we are instructed to put on the full armor of God, so that we might stand against the schemes of the devil. Oh, how I want to stand! Don't you? But I also want to fire back at him! Amen? We need protection, but we also need ammunition!
3) Fix our eyes on Jesus. What we behold, we will become! We must fix our eyes on Him. Passion comes from setting our eyes on something bigger than ourselves. My friend Kim Scott had me read a book called "I am not, but I know I AM" by Louie Giglio. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so. It has stayed with me ever since I picked it up a few years ago. It's about being a part of a story that is so much bigger than ourselves, His story. So, what does it look like to fix our eyes on Jesus? Our college pastor, Carl Gulley, wrote an incredible spoken worship piece that (I believe) hits the nail on the head. It's called "Otherness." This is only part of it, but you should be able to get the idea.
"Otherness...
That's what we are all about!
We are not trying to be like anyone or anything else!
Just Jesus!
And it makes us look like aliens, foreigners in a distant land.
We stick out, and humbly so.
Why? Because the way we love is so unusual.
Our words bring tears of laughter and tears of solace.
Our music and dance are fueled by a different drummer.
And a better one at that! And the fruit, it's a different song, a different value system.
Not pushing the edge of sin and hell, not okay with status quo.
A place where beneficial versus permissible is clearly understood.
And no one even wants the boundary line!
We would much rather lunge out to the kingdoms cutting edge, which are heaven's arms.
Sitting on His lap is fine with me; His heartbeat rhythmically puts me at rest.
Not apathetic slumber that leads to poverty, but deep love that thrust us to Nineveh!
Look again! His tears aren't clear. They don't taste like salt.
They taste like the blood that was shed for them.
They are waiting for you, waiting for me to open our hands.
So, He can pour them out. Why would He trust us with these treasures, these precious children of His? Because He calls us family, He can trust us.
Because we have seen the otherness of God, and we long for more!
For if you God were the same as the rest, You wouldn't be holy.
And my unholiness craves Your holiness! Your cleansing! You!
And in the process, we become other ourselves.
And the importance of that...
So many stories are being told, vying for my affections, my passion, my heart, but I refuse to be caught up in the midst of small stories that seem brilliant at the moment,
but soon become faded glory.
I desire to be taken up into Your story, into Your great plot for me and mankind.
So, I leap into the chariot of fire, and I ask for humility and courage to leave it all behind -
no matter the cost!
Because Lord, You deserve it!
And they need it!
Because, I love You!
And they need You!
And the Spirit and the bride are still crying out,
'Come Lord Jesus!'
And You will.
You always do."
We must look at Jesus. It's our only hope of becoming all that He desires us to be. Consider ALL that He has done for us! In the front of my Bible, I have these words written. "If God never does another single thing for me, He's already done MORE than enough." It's a reminder I need quite often.
Thank You Jesus for enduring such opposition for me. Thank You for Your Word, Your strength, and Your Spirit. May I run the race marked out for me with great perseverance, so that I might live the abundant, victorious life that You died to give me. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You that through looking at You and abiding in You, we can have victory!
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