Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
Hebrews 12:12-13 NET
There was a time in my life when I was a somewhat serious runner, participating in both full and half marathons. Running a marathon is not something you can do without some serious training. It takes self-discipline and many months and miles of running to build the endurance necessary to run 26.2 miles successfully.
The discipline necessary to run a race is a useful analogy for the Christian life. And that analogy is found in Hebrews 12:1-13. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run with endurance the race set out for us.” Don’t be satisfied with just crossing the starting line. Persevere until the finish line is crossed.
Discipline and Training
Much of this passage deals with God’s discipline. Discipline is often thought of as synonymous with punishment. But in the context here, it refers to training. You could think of God as your personal trainer, helping you to run the race set out for you. He uses even the suffering you endure as you run the race to help you grow and develop as a runner.
But I have a part to play in this race. I need to strengthen my listless hands and weak knees. I need to put in the work to prepare for and run the race set out for me. This will involve submitting to God’s discipline, following his instructions, and giving up what hinders my ability to perform.
I also need to make straight paths for my feet. That is best done, as I run the race, by fixing my eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). That will keep me from becoming focused on the distractions I encounter and running the wrong way.
I can trust God to do his part in training and preparing me for a successful race. But I have a part to play as well. I need to get off the couch and run with perseverance the race set out for me. And when I do, rather than being lame, I will be able to run well.
