Menacing Midpoint

One of the biggest Revelations I had when I studied the life of Sampson is that he went to God in the low points and in the high points. Unlike Joseph who patiently endured with God through it all, unlike David who praised God at all moments, unlike Daniel who prayed three times a day. Unlike the prophets who constantly came to God for his voice. It is in the mundane places where we should be seeking God.

Life will have Valleys and Life will Have its mountain top moments, but most of life is lived in the hike. It is neither in the valley or the mountain top. We must learn how to hike our way through life. We must learn how to deal with the menacing point in the race. Hebrews has a lot to say about how to endure this race and the menacing midpoint.

We must learn how to hike our way through life. We must learn how to deal with the menacing point in the race. Hebrews has a lot to say about how to endure this race.

Run with Perseverance

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

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 NRSV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

After setting aside all of the weight. The race starts of the Christians walk is to learn how to “remain.” This is the root of the word perseverance. We must learn how to remain in the race.

Hebrews 12:1

Its a race that is set aside!

Steady Pace

It is not a sprint. This run is a marathon that lasts a lifetime, therefore we must be smart in pacing ourselves. Experience can only do so much for us, the spiritual highs, can only accomplish so much. We must learn that a steady pace wins the race. The highs are awesome but we must learn to live in the mundane, in the “midpoint point.”

One day At a Time

Healthy Routines

If you are new, you have establish a steady pace

Steady Breathing

I cant run long distances for my life. I just can’t control my breathing well enough.

The amount you inhale and exhale is important. What are you breathing in? Are you breathing? or are you letting everything in life clog up the airways?

Ruah and Pnuema actually mean breath or wind. You cant do this without the breath of life. Without the Holy Spirit.

Nutrition and Hydration

This is only efficient in the right amounts. A runner can’s stop running and just chug a bottle of water, in the race. In the same way a Christian cant stop and just receive and receive all the time. They must be working on something, they must be moving forward. You can’t overeat.

Hebrews 12:1-

Hebrews 12:1–4 NIV

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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Endure the Opposition

Hebrews 12:2 NRSV

looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2–3 NRSV

looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

Endure the Pain

He endured through the pain of the cross, the pain of rejection, the pain of loneliness. He suffered. Regardless he endured, so the you would not lose heart and grow weary. We have to push through the pains of sacrifice. We are giving an opportunity to live for Christ, but we must experience the pain of dying to ourselves an giving ourselves up.

Endure the Discomfort

I read in an article that the first 20 mins of a run are hell because the adrenaline hasn’t kicked in. When you endure through the discomfort of not being able to breath, and when you push through, a breakthrough happens. Same thing happens with us Christians. (Runner’s High, second wind)

Endure the Weariness

The finish line can be stressing. Goals aren’t meant to frustrate. The power of Visualization.

Our Focus is Christ. He is the goal of the race. Goals are meant to motivate.

Isaiah 40:29–31 NRSV

He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

”29-31

Resist Temptation

Hebrews 12:3

Hebrews 12:4 NRSV

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

This word in the original comes a root word that means to “stand”

Resist the temptation to Stop

I think sometimes the temptation comes to take a break, but we must be careful. We are actually loosing a lot, when we stop. Just like any normal race. We are loosing time, we are loosing the reward. We must keep going regardless of the feelings to stop.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NRSV

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

Resist the temptation to Take Shortcuts

I wanted to skip over the last few weeks of school.

I am tempted to cheat.

Abraham was tempted, and took the shortcut. Ishmael, with the servant of Sarah.

Resist the temptation to Quit

It is sad when a runner quits when a christian turns their back Christ.

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Resist the temptation to Take Shortcuts

I wanted to skip over the last few weeks of school.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NRSV

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

Going back to slavery.