Our Cheerleader

Have you ever played a sport where you had a section of "cheerleaders" urging you forward?

I never played organized sports in high school or college although I did several sports outside of school, mainly hiking, basketball,  and biking. I remember in the summer before my senior year of high school, hiking one of the High Peaks (#12) in the Adirondacks, with other teens and leaders from Youth Group Camp.  We hiked up Giant Mountain and our leaders "cheered" us on.....encouraging us to keep going.  To press in.  To make it to the summit.  When we did, oh what a time of praise and worship we had.  It was truly breath-taking, looking back down the side of the high peak, and seeing from where we came.  How awesome is our world the Lord has created for us to enjoy!  From that moment on, I determined in my heart to become a hiker.  I think it was the "cheerleaders" in my life at that time.  They also "cheered" me on to pursue the passions and purposes of God for my life.  And some of them were there for me when I was in a bad relationship after college.....helping me to pray through some major spiritual battles, as well as emotional ones!  How blessed I have been with friends who act as "cheerleaders" throughout different periods in my life.

Our lives are like a race.  We are made to pursue God's purposes and to pursue His presence!  But, sometimes sin gets in the way, doesn't it?  Sin can keep us from running the race God intends for us to run. Sometimes it might be selfishness.  Anger, bitterness, shame, fear, immorality......and so much more.

Jesus was tempted too.  On his race, He had to endure Satan enticing Him.  And at His final breath, He had to look towards His summit (or finishing line), which was to be crucified for us!  He had to fulfill what He was sent to do.  He had to fix His eyes on the reward....which is us, His Bride, and endure all kinds of suffering.  He did it for Love for us.  He finished the race with no sin.

We are not perfect.  Yes, we are going to sin.  Yes, we live in a fallen world.

Yet we must keep going.

I was reminded of this in my morning devotions.  Here is part of what I read:

"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 us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."  Hebrews 12:1 & 2

Let's turn away from sin that keeps us from running the race well.  Our pastor just finished up a sermon series entitled "Satan---Our Enemy".  Oh how the devil loves to see us stumble.  He waits for us to fall.  DON'T LET HIM WIN!  He certainly won't win in the end......!!  

Keep pressing in.  Keep running the race.  Look up to Him who is your guide.

He is cheering you on.......