5.27.24

This week we turn to Hebrews 12 where the author likens the Christian life to running a race. And in the context of remembering the point of this letter was to encourage Christians not to give up in the face of suffering, the analogy of a race is an appropriate metaphor.

Running a race is an agonizing struggle. The particular word he uses here for “race” is also often used to describe a wrestling match as well. And when he says that the these people haven’t yet “resisted to the point of shedding their blood,” the analogy could be further drawn out to think of a boxing match, where punches have been thrown, but we’ve not yet reached the point of being bloodied yet.

The writer here isn’t merely saying that life is like the agonizing struggle of a race or a boxing/wrestling match. Because when he gets to verse 11, he talks about the training that is necessary to endure. And the focus is on the training and preparation. And what the writer is telling us with these analogies is that - when the troubles of life overwhelm you, and it feels like everything is out of control, remember that God is in control of every bit of it, and he’s using it to grow and strengthen you. In other words, the troubles of this life are a form of athletic training - spiritually speaking.

One of the implications of this is that we are being told that sufferings are a necessary part of our spiritual transformation. God doesn’t bring anything into your life that isn’t absolutely necessary and for your good. And though God didn’t create evil and suffering, he uses it to accomplish his purposes of spiritual transformation in us. Just as with exercise, you can’t live a long, healthy life without a steady dose of it - so too with spiritual health and stability - we need suffering to help produce it.

And so we’re being told that

o Your faith will never grow if it’s not tested.

o Your commitment will never grow unless it's threatened.

o Your patience will never grow unless it's taxed.

o Your compassion will never grow unless it's tapped.

o Your courage will never grow unless it's challenged.

o And without all this you will be a shallow person.

Welcome your sufferings and struggles today as gifts from God to grow you into the person he is making you into.