Hebrews 12

So, I said I would write about some of what God has revealed in this past week or so about Himself and His plan for me, and His plan for you. I looked up Hebrews 12 in the Message version. Read the whole thing. If you don't want to take time at the moment, I am going to quote portions of it and respond to them. I often read the NIV or Amplified, so the Message really gets in my face when I open it up. I like that. I like that God knows when I am tempted to become complacent and He provides a powerful prompting through scripture to jump start my slacker tendencies. Yep. I got 'em. I can't deny them or the rocky road ice cream cone I ate last night!


In the margin of my Bible I have written "Hebrews 11:41, By faith, Jennifer..." because a speaker came and told me to write that in the margin. I am a part of the legacy of those mighty warriors of the faith listed in Hebrews 11. That is great. Really. But what does that mean? I think for me, right now, the answer depends on the day... or the minute.

By faith Jennifer... got out of bed today.
or
By faith, Jennifer... corrected her children this time instead of yelling at them.
or
By faith, Jennifer... did her workout today even though she really didn't feel well.
or
By faith Jennifer... apologized to her husband for a disrespectful tone, even though what he said hurt me...
or
By faith Jennifer... continues to blog, believing God is using the words He has put in my heart to communicate hope, blessing and encouragement for my brothers and sisters who need it.

The other day, the Lord drew my eyes into Hebrews 12. So many pieces in it caught my spirit. Like a carefully woven safety net, like a delicate butterfly on a elaborately gorgeous day, like a twinkle in a child's eye as they smile KNOWING they are loved with all your heart.

Hebrews 12
^1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Oh my! What a jolt!  

get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!

No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

Yikes! Okay Lord, strip me down, what is the spiritual fat in my life? What are the parasitic sins? What stuff is robbing me of that kind of endeavor? Please bring revelation here Lord!!
 
he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.

Father, please keep reminding me of where I am headed. It is embarrassing to me to think of what others may think of me. I know those who love me are proud of me and excited for my commitment and my determination, and they should be all that matter, but, I still hear the voices in my head. The Liar speaking death to this path You have set me on. Declaring me unable to be anything different or more or better than what I have struggled with my whole life.


 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.

I doubt that any strangers actually feel hostility towards me. He endured that. Surely if someone looks at me and is appalled by my size or choice of functional wardrobe for my event, it will still be irrelevant in my pursuit. It was all relevant to Him. He loved anyway. All the way through.


I have no excuses. Not one.

By faith, I think this will be a three part blog. More later when I get my littles to bed!