Growing Weary and Losing Heart at Christmas
I posted this on Facebook a few days ago and it resonated with many people so I thought I might share it on my blog. I pray it encourages you today.
If you find yourself in these days before Christmas, weary and losing heart, meditate on these words from Hebrews.
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.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
The unnamed writer of this New Testament book, reminds apprentices of Jesus who are tempted to throw in the towel on their faith of five remedies to discouragement:
1. Listen to your fans. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses..." The communion of the saints are cheering you on from the heavenly grandstand. They shout, "Don't quit! It's worth it!" Your earthly fans too!
2. Put down anything that weighs you down. "...let us throw off everything that hinders..." All of us have encumbrances or what I'd call immaturities that keep us from being the person God wants us to be. They hinder us from growing in Christ. Too much Facebook maybe?
3. Take sin seriously. "...let us throw off...the sin that so easily entangles." Sin is deadly. These actions and attitudes trip us up in our walk with Jesus. Be honest about how these things shackle us.
4. Build spiritual muscle. "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..." The Christian life is a marathon not a sprint. Train yourself for a long obedience in the same direction. If you want to be like Jesus, then do what Jesus did.
5. Focus on Jesus. "...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..." Jesus is in the front and in the back of the Christian pilgrimage. His suffering on the cross motivates the tired and discouraged Christ-follower to forge ahead.
The writer of Hebrews says that if we do these things, we "...will not grow weary and lose heart."
Happy Advent and Merry Christmas.
