Text: Hebrews 12:1-17
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” —Hebrews 12:12-13
“Hitting the wall.” “Bonking.” “Blowing up.” These are all terms used in endurance sports such as road cycling and long-distance running. The terms refer to a condition of sudden fatigue, exhaustion, or the loss of energy caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles. During a marathon, runners typically “hit the wall” around mile 20. You can see it with their body posture in the way they begin to droop. This “crashing” phenomenon causes many athletes to drop out of the race before reaching the finish line.
Have you ever hit the wall spiritually?
The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews uses that kind of language to describe a spiritual “drooping” happening amongst many first century believers who, in the face of disheartening persecution, were considering giving up the faith. In chapter eleven, we are given a long list of examples of those endurance-faith-runners who pleased God with their perseverance. Then the writer turns to an exhortation we find in chapter twelve that has great significance for those struggling to stay in the race.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
After reminding them that their problems weren’t to be seen as punishment, but normal training as legitimate children of God (vv. 5-11), the writer addresses that “hitting the wall” effect on their race.
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:12-13)
The exhortation is that followers of Christ need to intentionally arm themselves against discouragement. Discouragement is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons in fostering defeat and wrong-direction movement in a believer’s life. The word “lame” in this verse can also be translated “impaired,” “disabled,” or “turned out of the way,” and it portrays an image of a struggling and limping believer. In contrast, the word “healed” implies a reinvigorated state with a readiness to work and move for Jesus and His kingdom.
So many distractions are at work in our lives that can prevent us from being renewed by the Lord’s strength. And if we fail to refuel for the race, it isn’t because God’s strength for us was insufficient or found wanting, it simply means that we failed to “make straight paths” for our feet. The principle of making straight paths involves something intentional on our part. There is a discipline required.
The discipline of making straight paths for our feet means that we actively make space in our lives to receive God’s instruction and submit to His game plan for the race. That will most definitely require a “planned neglect” approach on our part to eliminate certain distractions that are keeping us from being refueled. We might need a planned neglect approach to cutting back on some activities that have us overloaded and missing time in God’s word and prayer, or fellowshipping with other believers. We might have unconfessed sin that is weighing us down. We might not be giving proper space for sabbath rests in our daily rhythms? We might just have too many commitments that are keeping us from making the main thing, the main thing.
The Holy Spirit is the perfect life coach. When we take the time to get quiet in the presence our “Helper’s” wisdom and guidance, the distractions and clutter of what is robbing us of our perseverance is sure to be exposed. God is faithful to reveal what is causing the drooping in our lives. He can do a reset and heal what is lame, but we need to make space for this reset. The Spirit of Truth is not silent. We just aren’t always listening. Think about that as you take the time this week to listen to your Coach and abide in Him.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the discipline that comes with being a legitimate child of God. You chasten those whom you love. Holy Spirit, coach me in the discipline of the things I need to do to make straight paths for my feet, that I can run my race with endurance and strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- When have you had a “hitting the wall” experience in life?
- What kinds of distractions are common to believers today, robbing us of the rejuvenation God has promised to those who wait on Him?
- What problems have you experienced lately that need to be rightly seen as training rather than punishment? What is God teaching you?
- When have you failed to make room for God’s instruction in your life?
- What practically can you do this week to “make straight paths for your feet,” as you seek to create space where God can speak to you, reset what is lame, and renew your endurance in running the race Jesus has for you? Is there a “planned neglect” approach you will take to things causing distraction?
Text: Hebrews 12:1-17
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” —Hebrews 12:12-13
“Hitting the wall.” “Bonking.” “Blowing up.” These are all terms used in endurance sports such as road cycling and long-distance running. The terms refer to a condition of sudden fatigue, exhaustion, or the loss of energy caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles. During a marathon, runners typically “hit the wall” around mile 20. You can see it with their body posture in the way they begin to droop. This “crashing” phenomenon causes many athletes to drop out of the race before reaching the finish line.
Have you ever hit the wall spiritually?
The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews uses that kind of language to describe a spiritual “drooping” happening amongst many first century believers who, in the face of disheartening persecution, were considering giving up the faith. In chapter eleven, we are given a long list of examples of those endurance-faith-runners who pleased God with their perseverance. Then the writer turns to an exhortation we find in chapter twelve that has great significance for those struggling to stay in the race.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
After reminding them that their problems weren’t to be seen as punishment, but normal training as legitimate children of God (vv. 5-11), the writer addresses that “hitting the wall” effect on their race.
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:12-13)
The exhortation is that followers of Christ need to intentionally arm themselves against discouragement. Discouragement is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons in fostering defeat and wrong-direction movement in a believer’s life. The word “lame” in this verse can also be translated “impaired,” “disabled,” or “turned out of the way,” and it portrays an image of a struggling and limping believer. In contrast, the word “healed” implies a reinvigorated state with a readiness to work and move for Jesus and His kingdom.
So many distractions are at work in our lives that can prevent us from being renewed by the Lord’s strength. And if we fail to refuel for the race, it isn’t because God’s strength for us was insufficient or found wanting, it simply means that we failed to “make straight paths” for our feet. The principle of making straight paths involves something intentional on our part. There is a discipline required.
The discipline of making straight paths for our feet means that we actively make space in our lives to receive God’s instruction and submit to His game plan for the race. That will most definitely require a “planned neglect” approach on our part to eliminate certain distractions that are keeping us from being refueled. We might need a planned neglect approach to cutting back on some activities that have us overloaded and missing time in God’s word and prayer, or fellowshipping with other believers. We might have unconfessed sin that is weighing us down. We might not be giving proper space for sabbath rests in our daily rhythms? We might just have too many commitments that are keeping us from making the main thing, the main thing.
The Holy Spirit is the perfect life coach. When we take the time to get quiet in the presence our “Helper’s” wisdom and guidance, the distractions and clutter of what is robbing us of our perseverance is sure to be exposed. God is faithful to reveal what is causing the drooping in our lives. He can do a reset and heal what is lame, but we need to make space for this reset. The Spirit of Truth is not silent. We just aren’t always listening. Think about that as you take the time this week to listen to your Coach and abide in Him.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the discipline that comes with being a legitimate child of God. You chasten those whom you love. Holy Spirit, coach me in the discipline of the things I need to do to make straight paths for my feet, that I can run my race with endurance and strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion: