Feb 17 - Ash Wednesday - "Run with Perserverence"

Hebrews 12: 1-14
"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, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set out before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame..."
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Here we go again! Another season of Lenten Meditations.

I have been both looking forward and fearful of this effort, beginning its second year. I had gone back and forth about writing every day for Lent...as I said last year, "giving something out, instead of giving something up". But, fortunately, I had a couple of people ask me, "Are you doing that blog again for Lent this year?"

And so...here I am...in the early morning hours, my face lit by the light from my laptop, seeking inspiration, and maybe hoping to give some, saying a prayer: may the words of my mouth (fingers) and the thoughts of my heart be Yours, Lord; and that I may be humbled by Your power, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When I reflect on today's passage (from Morning Prayer, The Daily Office, Book of Common Prayer), how can I not be inspired when the author of Hebrews is talking about "running"! It is my favorite thing to do!

But, of course, he is not talking about going out for a six-mile tempo run. His focus is on perseverance.

As you digest the entire reading (only a snapshot above), you see that the focus is on staying strong in spite of the obstacles which can often be set before you. Christ is our perfect example of that. Yeah, I know, he was God incarnate, so how hard can it be to stay strong when you are God? But Christ was also fully human, as we are. He most certainly had days where He felt that the task before Him seemed insurmountable. Whether it was speaking to the five thousand next to the sea, or sitting in silent, fearful prayer at Gethsemane, Christ most certainly felt the struggles we all feel every day. Be comforted by the fact that He too had fear; He too had pain; He too experienced sadness and wept; He too had to stay strong.

Lent is a bit like a long-distance race. If you, faithful reader, also choose to give something up or out for this time, there are points over the next 47 days where you may feel weak, but stay strong! We have a glorious day coming our way at the finish line of this Season.

So...there will be pain and fear and times when you want to give up, but run the race with perseverance, so "that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed." Run on friends, because we know what is at the finish line!