Thankful to be published on The Round Farmhouse on 9/19/24.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 ESV

I’ve become a runner. Last year I moved to a new home and needed to find some new running paths. I spent quite a bit of time locating the hills I could climb, the hills I shouldn’t climb, the straightaways, the potholes, the flat sidewalks, the tilted sidewalks, the blind spots, and monitoring traffic patterns to find the safest and most effective running routes. These routes were birthed out of experience: sometimes I drove around to scope things out, and sometimes I just ran until it no longer seemed to be a good idea.

Over time, and through experience, I learned where my obstacles were and tried my best to avoid them. When I did, I had productive and enjoyable runs.

But there have been times when I wasn’t paying attention and stepped in a pothole, or the owl I didn’t notice perched on the side of the road until he decided to flap his large wings and fly (not very high) over my head. That one woke me up quickly.

As much as I avoid obstacles when I’m running, I really want to avoid them when it comes to my relationship with God. I want to be on the lookout for obstacles to running the race that is set before me.

What are some obstacles we need to look out for?

• Worldly passions (Titus 2:11-13)
• Wealth (Mark 10:17-31)
• False teaching (Romans 16:17)
• Our minds (Romans 8:5-6)

The good news is Scripture gives us ways to turn from these obstacles and run the race set before us:

Worldly passions: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16 ESV)

Wealth: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mathew 6:19-21 ESV)

False teaching: “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12 ESV)

Our minds: “Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2 ESV)

And remember, we don’t overcome these obstacles by ourselves. We overcome in God’s strength, not our own. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV). God is so good!