Why it’s Important To Run Your Race Looking Unto Jesus Christ

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

The Race is Set Before Me

A race is set before me. A race that must be run with patience, endurance, determination and focus on Jesus Christ, the forerunner. What I ask myself is, “Am I ready to lay aside everything that makes me too comfortable?” Am I “ready to devout much time and attention to reading and studying the Word of God?” “Am I ready to devout time and attention to prayer?” “Am I ready?”

I have already laid aside everything that makes me too comfortable and unable to study the Word of God. I pray and fellowship with other Christians, but life is still tough. The battles look more fierce and troubling. It looks like I can’t make it far in this new life I’ve found. But here you are asking me to look unto Jesus, the forerunner?

Well, It looks like am already discouraged by these fierce trials. I just want to give up. No! you don’t have to give up. The Bible never said “look unto thyself, thy mother, thy father, or friends”. It said,

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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

This is the man who run the ultimate race of life, bringing God’s salvation closer to mankind, making a way for all to come to God through him. So, who is more qualified to be your focus for running this race if not Jesus. If you did all your best looking to yourself or someone and failed, then its time you refocus and look unto Jesus. He will show you the difference.

Why Look Unto Jesus?

In the first place, to look unto someone is to turn to the person, expecting assistance. So, in other words, when you are looking unto Jesus, you’re actually turning to Him for help. It could be help of healing you, rescuing you from a situation, protecting you or even guiding you through a journey or process. The most important reason why you need to look unto Jesus is because He is the only one who can save you. He is the author and finisher of your faith. There’s no other. He brought salvation to mankind and He is still the one who is able to guide you through your new life as a Child of God.

What we sometimes forget is that, what we are going through is not new. That is why Paul said,

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

Just as children look up to the elderly when growing up, it is the same way when we are born again. It is necessary to also look unto Jesus Christ. If Jesus was tempted as we are, yet he did not sin, then we ought to look unto him alone as we run the race set before us. Our focus ought to be on him, to walk as he walked. Run with endurance, looking unto Jesus!

I don’t know what you are going through now, or the pains you may be in now, but I can assure you that with Jesus Christ closely by your side, nothing shall be impossible. You need to understand that Looking unto Jesus does not mean you will not face any difficulty, on the contrary, what it means is that, you can trust in Jesus to guide you, protect you or heal you. You ought to walk with him in a way that you can hear him when he speaks. If you can’t hear him speaking to you it would be difficult to follow his directions or guidance. Walk with Jesus, trust and obey Him.

Jesus never promised an easy road for you, but He did promise that,

…I will be with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:20