The author of the book of Hebrews refers to life as a marathon. While the hustle and bustle on the East Coast cause many to sprint, often dying out quickly, its important to pace yourself. Unfortunately, I find myself going on binges for a few days, then collapse only to repeat this vicious cycle the next week. I guess its time to start jogging with the gospel.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1.
Sometimes what God tells individuals to do doesn’t make sense. Thus, like Jonah, many try to run away, going in the opposite direction until storms result in a U-turn. Meanwhile, some have the gift of faith, able to trust the Lord whatever or wherever the Holy Spirit leads them. Although I once possessed this gift, doubt has caused me to stop running with the gospel.
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked, Acts 8:30.
The encounter within Acts 8 reveals a powerful lesson about faith. After an angel spoke to Philip, he began to run along side a chariot going down the road. To his amazement, a foreigner was reading the book of Isaiah. Like a scene out of Hollywood, Philip takes advantage of this situation. In the end, Philip leads this man from Ethiopia to faith in Christ. Therefore, don’t go through life in an aimless manner. Rather, start running with the Gospel and you’ll be amazed where God will lead you.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 