Enduring Shame, Patiently Running

Two girls…opposite teams…students of different HS campuses…at the start, each having one goal….TO WIN…

I read a heart-warming story this morning!  It really made my heart smile.  Two girls on a High School track competing, the one is out front, leading closer to the winning than the other…then all of a sudden, she collapses right there on the field.  The other girl, which had the same goal in mind—to win the race, to come away from the day with a championship—instead of running around her…stops…and carrys her opponent to the finish line.  Not only that, but since her opponent was in front of her before the collapse, she made sure her opponent crossed the finish line first.  She said, “helping her across the finish line was a lot more satisfying than winning the state championship”.  She was willing to finish last in order to be of help to someone else. 

What a SELF-LESS, heartwarming act of kindness.  This is an outstanding act of sportsmanship.  This is TRUE sportsmanship. I even dare say…a TRUE act of Christianity. 

I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Hebrews 12:1-2:   
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,  lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

There are people sitting on the sidelines of our life.  They watch, observing, to see how we handle various circumstance in our life. 
How do they perceive us? 
What will we do with theobstacles that are thrown at us?
Will we allow them to work for ourgood? 
What if someone else falls in front of us, are we a going to help them up?
Or,  pass them by?
(because we are carrying the weight of “self” rather than the weight of helping a brother/sister up)

Jesus took suffering for the JOY that was set before Him.  He endured the shame because He knew the greater goal.  He kept the greater goal in mind.  He proved that He is the Victor.   

When your opponent…your enemy, (if you will), …seems to be leading the way, seems to be winning at every turn, everything seems to be working out for them, they hurt you at every bend in the road….but then suddenly she/he falls…what will you do then?   

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let usrun with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus theauthor and finisher of our faith

Lord, it is only through Your divine grace.  Help me to be more like You.  Help me to take suffering wth JOY....Knowing that YOU work all things for my good! Yes, it's YOUR amazing grace...and mercy too...that I need. You are an awesome GOD!