Running the Patient Race - Guest Post

-
Image by Pexels found here: "https://pixabay.com/users/Pexels-2286921"
A few days ago, my dear friend and fellow author, Sarah Ashwood Blackwell, posted on Facebook about a passage of scripture that had impacted her. As I've been recently trying to develop healthier habits, including moving this slow body of mine around more, I found her words deeply touching and profound. I invited her to share on my blog, which she agreed. So I'll now turn it over to Sarah.
I was blessed reading this passage from Hebrews 12 recently. These verses speak to me as someone who has run several long distance races, but as a "patient" runner, because I'm no speedster. I'm slow, so I have to set my eye on the prize, the goal, which is finishing, and just plod there. Keep on plodding there even when I'm tired and my muscles and joints hurt and I really, really want to quit.
The parallel between a race like that and the Christian life is obvious to me. It's a slow thing, a lifelong thing. It's not about being the first to the finish line, but about keeping our eyes on the goal—heaven, life with Christ—and faithfully plodding on despite the pain and weariness and the temptation to quit, looking to Jesus (our ultimate example) for strength.  
Hebrews 12:1-2Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
God bless!
Sarah Ashwood is the pen name of Sarah Blackwell, who is a fantasy author, a wife, the mother of three boys—and her first daughter, come October! In her “spare time” Sarah enjoys reading, hand quilting, working out, and, of course, running. You can find her at her website.

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2022 at 2:24 PM

    The Best Online Casinos of 2021 - LuckyClub
    Discover the top casinos in America that 카지노사이트luckclub offer real money online gambling. of which the most popular games are: slots, blackjack, and roulette

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts from the Hallway

-
Image
Some Sundays, going to church is easy. It's not even a choice I really have to think about. Of course I'm going to go to church. I want the time with other adults, and truthfully I look forward to the time nourishing my soul. And some Sundays, going to church is hard. When the children refuse to get dressed, when tantrums abound, when I wake up too late for the shower I know I should take. All the reasons, all the excuses you can think of. I've experienced them. I've felt them deep to my soul. Yet most Sundays, despite the excuses, I go anyway. I force a smile on my face, I herd my children to the car, and I make the thirty minute drive to the church building desperately trying not to lose my temper with the screaming children behind me. Most often, within a few moments of pulling into the parking lot, I feel my mood improve. My troublesome children joyfully enter the building, the tantrums and arguments of earlier forgotten. No one comments on my lackluster hair,...
Read more

The Undervalued Glory of Sabbatical

-
 I've debated for a while about whether or not to write this. It's not totally related to writing and it really doesn't even relate to my books. But this topic is weighing heavily on my heart, and the more commentary I see, the more I feel the need to speak. There has been a lot of discussion about a certain Olympian and decisions which were made. If that alone tells you who and what I'm referring to, great. If you're stumped, that's all right. I'm not going to give the details because frankly the actual event that is being discussed is not the issue. The real issue is the way people have responded to it. As a member of the Millennial Generation, I see a lot of talk from Boomers, Gen X, and a bit from the Greatest Generation about how we're destroying all things good that ever happened. For the most part, I choose to be the type of millennial who rolls my eyes and moves on with my day, because quite frankly I have better things to do than defend change...
Read more

Labyrinth of Shadows - A Book Review

-
Image
One of my goals this year is to actually read all of the Fellowship of Fantasy book club books this year. Which, by the way, if you are one of my fantasy readers and you haven't joined yet, do so now! Great books, opportunities to chat with wonderful indie authors, giveaways, parties, and lots of fun await you there. Anyway, back to the blog. Last year I did pitifully, completing only two of the books, even though the majority had already been on my to be read pile. Embarrassing? Yeah, pretty much. Especially since we all know I love a good fantasy. But, I figure if I tell you now in January that I'm going to start regularly blogging about the books I read, that ought to hold me at least a little accountable. And don't worry, romance fans, I'll be reading and reviewing lots of romances this year too. Labyrinth of Shadows So without further ado, my first book of the year is Labyrinth of Shadows by Kyla Stone. Oh. My. Goodness! If you like Greek mythology, you n...
Read more