August 14,
2016
13th
Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah
23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews
11:29-12:2
Luke
12:49-56
Please pray
with me,
May the
words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in
your sight O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
“And let us
run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the
pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
If you’ve
had the chance to get to know me over the past few years, you know that I’m a
runner. I’ve dabbled in many a community
5K race, I’ve run several ½ marathons as well as a few marathons. This summer I branched out and completed my
first triathlon.
As I’ve
worked with different training plans, run with friends and helped coach a youth
running club. I guess you could say that
I enjoy running.
But here’s
the thing, it isn’t all joy and celebrations.
And let me tell you, not every run is wonderful, some of them are
downright painful and slightly ugly.
On the day I
was working on this sermon, I went for a run without headphones, so I could
just run and pray and ponder this sermon.
I didn’t really want to know how fast I was going, but I did wear my
Garmin just to track the run itself.
Only a week and a half had passed since the triathlon so I wasn’t in any
specific training plan, but when my watch beeped one mile I looked at it and
was disappointed. I was moving slower
than I thought I was. I stopped. And then all those negative voices popped
into my head.
You know, so
and so is in training and busted out a fast long run this week. Just a week and a half ago this run would
have been after a swim and a bike ride….what the heck? I thought of others and their skills and
dedication and stamina….and I got lost in that for a second, until I remembered
something. These people have told me time
and again that I am an inspiration….I encourage them!! I wrestled with that thought for a moment and
looked down at my wrist, to the bracelet that says, “you got this.” I said it out loud 3 or 4 times, pressed
start on my watch and kept running.
As I slowly
took one step after the other, I reminded myself that not every run is a
perfect run and that the run I was in the middle of was just about getting out
for a run. I reminded myself that when we
do not feel strong enough, brave enough or that we have enough faith there are
others around to give us strength, bravery and to believe for us. Those people make up the great cloud of
witnesses that surround us each and every day.
As I looked
down at my wrist and said, “you got this.” I also saw the cross bracelet that I
wear every day. I knew that I could do
the run because it wasn’t me…but it was the strength and presence of God with
me to carry me through it.
Now, don’t
worry if you’re not into running or racing.
If your idea of a triathlon is pizza, movie, nap…there is still a
connection to this text for you…because here’s the thing, it’s not about an
actually road race.
This race
that the writer of Hebrews talks about is different from all others.
The course
is not set out with chalk arrows and volunteers telling you which way to go…the
course is marked by Christ, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
This race is
one that only Jesus has run to its end, though by doing so has made it possible
for all others to follow.
As Jesus ran
this race, he didn’t hit “the wall” which many distance runners talk about
hitting and feeling like they cannot move one more step. The primary obstacle Jesus faced was the shame of the cross, which is
vanquished by the power of the resurrection.
As we follow
Christ crucified and risen, we are led through the obstacles of life which
challenge us, stop us, scare us, but they are obstacles we can face because we
know of the love and grace of God in our lives.
We know that at the end of this race, this course of life, awaits
Christ, enthroned at the right hand of God.
That my
friends will be an incredible, picture perfect finish. Arms up, ready to be embraced by our heavenly
father, knowing that God has been with us every step of the way.
Following
Christ does not mean a life that is smooth sailing, full of smiles and sunshine
every day. Having and experiencing faith
in our lives does not make our lives easier…it does, however, make a huge
difference in the everydayness of our lives.
We know the
obstacles the Christ faced for us.
We know that
the obstacles we face…sickness, illness, grief, the loss of our jobs, broken
families, even death…are ones that Christ faced for us on the cross…and we know
that that great cloud of witnesses is cheering us on, letting us cry, holding
us up, and believing for us when we have questions or doubt.
Following
Christ does not require you to run marathons…but is does challenge us to have
the mindset of a marathon runner…rather than that of a sprinter. This is a long course….but God has already
promised a lifelong relationship with us and will be with us the entire
way. And by lifelong…God means
eternally.
When the last of the runners make
it across the finish line, Hebrews suggests, the stands of the stadium will
empty. The city of the living God, made up of “the spirits of the righteous
made perfect” will form around the enthroned Christ and “innumerable angels in
festal gathering” (12:22). Sin, suffering, death -- all the enemies of God --
will be no more. Remarkably, this on-going “perfect” worship of God is mediated
a high priest who is Christ himself (6:20; 5:2). (Heen)
That, to me,
sounds like one AMAZING post-race party!
As I neared
the last turn of the run portion of the triathlon there was a woman on the side
cheering people on. She shouted, “Leave
it on the course! Don’t take it home
with you!”
It was just
the cheer I needed as I rounded the last turn, had the finish line in sight and
saw my family waving and cheering! My
arms went up, this is my finishing stance.
I knew there was nothing I needed to take home with me…the training had
gotten me there, the crowds spurred my on through water, road and path, and I
could give it all right there and then…and in that moment, I realized that it
had been the perfect race. I trained
just right, paced myself well through the swim and bike so I was able to do
what I do best, run.
And isn’t
that the joy and feelings we seek out in our faith lives? The fact that we know that we can rest in the
arms of God, knowing that we can give and use all that we have been given…that
we need to take nothing with us…because God has prepared the way, shown us the
path through Christ and cheers us on with all the saints as we take each
step.
The joy in
our lives of faith is living as created and called children of God, loving,
caring for and supporting others…knowing that because of God’s love for all of
God’s children that love, care and support is given to us when we are in need.
Called by
Christ, gathered in grace, let us go forth to joyfully serve those around
us…and may the peace which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen.
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