Run XC!

"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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:1-2

 We have recently become members of the XC family. XC stands for cross country, incase you didn't know. (I didn't!) 
With each race, I learn more: 
    > Evidently it's important to eat spaghetti a couple nights before a race. Carb loading helps give you the glycogen needed to produce extra energy. Experts say it can prevent you from "hitting the wall" in a race. Personally, I would hit the wall whether I ate noodles or not!

    > If someone touches you while you are running, you are eliminated.

    > Even as much as I LOVE my Saturday mornings, I look forward to race days now!

    > It feels like a little family.

    > Every week, the terrain looks different. Some races are hot, some are pleasant. 

Today as we were watching our varsity girls, I snapped this picture:

We were there, cheering them on. Some were calling out individual's names, yelling "You got this!! Go!! You can do it!"

As I was looking down the track, immediately I thought of the verse I posted above. 
"...we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses....." 

I wondered, "Is this kind of what it looks like from Heaven?- those great heroes of the faith, cheering us on. Moses, David, Job, the Woman at the Well, Zacchaeus, the once blind man, Paul. But then what about Grandmother, Grandaddy, Nanny, Granny, Mrs. Mary, Kim, Marla, Holly, Austin....the list could go on and on. All of them, cheering us on, telling us to not give up, you can do it.

As I read more about this passage, I see that we find encouragement from the testimony of those witnesses. Their faith is now made sight.

The writer of Hebrews says to "strip off that which easily entangles us."
In the races I've seen so far, it seems it never fails that someone loses a shoe, or both shoes. If it's tripping them up, they just leave them on the course. Some have removed a strap on their jersey -(is it called a jersey in XC? I'll have to check on that!) 

We are strongly encouraged to remove and throw off those things (sins) which trip us up. 
As we run the race, we can find strength in knowing those heroes are cheering for us, but more than that, Christ is with us.  Verse 3 continues by saying, "Consider the life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart."

We need encouragement as we run this race. In the XC races, you will find "cheerleaders" all along the way. We can find that through friends, through collective worship with fellow believers, through the God-inspired Scripture.

I have been so proud of Peyton since he started running. He has done well- but even so, I had a conversation with him recently which really can be summed up in part of those Hebrews verses: "..fix our eyes on Jesus."
XC is not eternal. Medals, PR's (personal records), trophies, T-shirts, whether you were first or last- none of it is going to matter in light of eternity. 

And we should all be running XC, across this country, in our towns and neighborhoods, encouraging others in the race, and helping others join the family. Carb-load on the Word of God! There will be sacrifices to make (just like giving up my Saturdays.)
Run with endurance the race- whether steep, hot, muddy or rocky-that is marked out for you!!