Mini devo

This was my first time writing a devotional! Took me way too long but I was so encouraged and amazed at how the holy spirit kept bringing verses to my head and they all fit together!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1-4 ESV) .

When I read this I notice two things. One we all have a course set for us a race we have to run. And two  we are called not to survive but to preserver  through this race God has called us to.  In 1 cor it says    Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV) 

I was thinking through what hinders my ability to run this course god has for me.  for me it's apathy. I can't think of anything I've struggled with more throughout college or now than just plain apathy. The hard part about it is I didn't see it as a sin for many years. I figured as long as I wasn't actively stopping god from working, or stopping others from working for god I could be complacent about anything and everything. Then I read this passage in revelation, "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:15-17 ESV) and realized my actions or rather my non actions matter to God.  It's all about the heart issues. Are you doing your best in the best way you know how to further gods kingdom and bring him praise. This will look different for everyone, none of us are running the same race. 

I don't know what it is that hinders you from running your race in a way to win the prize, maybe It's apathy like me maybe it's something different, but I want to encourage everyone to take some time at home or during class, since your not listening anyway to think through what it is that really hinders your race and do something about it. for me just being able to recognize that my apathy is a sin and share my tendency to fall into apathy with friends who will hold me accountable has made a huge difference in my attitude towards life and the race god has set up for me.