Hebrew 12:1, 2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus , the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Several years ago I was running on the back roads near our home and feeling very overwhelmed with life. I was carrying the weight of many burdens at work, troubled over misunderstandings, and lost relationships in my personal life. My head hurt, my hips burned on the hills, and I was physically exhausted. Lacking energy and vision, I felt my age.
It was one of those mornings when my eyes were drawn to what was thrown on the ground. Empty beer cans, yellowed newspapers, bunched up take-out bags, and empty water bottles were all discarded by the roadside. I ran faster and relentlessly pushed myself through the pain, all the while looking down. Coming around the last turn, I headed down the hill towards home. Our young neighbor was chopping wood near his house and called out to me, “Beautiful day for a run! ” It was then that I remembered his teasing at the beginning of my mileage. He had wished me well and joked that I could always stay and help him chop wood. I might as well had done that as I had missed the beautiful morning. It was mid January and the sun was shining. The view of the countryside and its rich colors had slipped by me. I had not appreciated the gift of this warmer day. My perspective on my run had been determined by my looking down.
We must ask ourselves, “Are we running the race of life with garbage in our view?” Lord, help us to look up and keep our focus on you today. Help us to get our eyes off of self and to seek the colors in our barren, winter land. Help us to be an encourager to someone, influencing their perspective on their day!
Look up and seek His beauty this day!
Lily Mae
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