Ohio State vs. My Christian Walk

Football pundits have made a big deal over the course of this last week about today's Ohio State v. Illinois game. Ohio State has a distinct advantage over many other schools: they start classes weeks later than most of their opponents (this week marks the start of their classes). This gives their team an opportunity to focus solely on football for the first few weeks of the season. Without classes to distract them they are able to live football every waking moment-they have nothing else to weigh them down.

The writer of Hebrews understood the advantage this type of focus gives a Christian in their daily walk:

"...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." (Hebrews 12:1,2 NLT)

As a Christian I am encouraged to:

1. Focus: Keep my eyes on Jesus
2. Forget: Leave my sins behind
3. Fly: Run the race God has selected for me

The foundation is focus. If I "keep my eyes on Jesus," I will gain the endurance necessary to live the life that God has selected for me. If I lose focus, it is easy for the devil to distract me with past sins/unhealthy desires. So... how do I "keep my eyes on Jesus" and "run the race?"

The writer of Hebrews continues to outline some simple steps:

1. Remember the price Christ has already paid (Hebrews 12:3, 13:12)
   
2. Submit to God's discipline (Hebrews 12:9, 13:7-9, 17)
3. Live in peace with everyone (verse 14)
4. Live a clean and holy life (Hebrews 12:14 and 16, 13:4-5)
5. Aid other believers in their walk (Hebrews 12:15, 13:1-3,16)
6. Do not allow unbelief to take root in me (verse 15)
7. Be thankful (verse 28)
   
8. Worship God (Hebrews 12:28, 13:15)

Just like the athletes at Ohio State must (eventually) attend classes, I still have to participate in my everyday life. I still have to interact with customers, associates and family members each day. I still have to pay bills, be a good steward of the gifts God has given to me and overcome my own insecurities. God has not called me to live apart from the world, but to be an active participant.

In Hebrews, He has given me the necessary tools to participate in life (run the race), and succeed.

• When I feel that people are laughing at me because of my beliefs, I remember the price that Christ had to pay--I have not had to give up my life for my beliefs.
• If I remember to aid other believers in their walk, then I am encouraged to hold myself to a higher standard rather than be made a hypocrite.
• If I am thankful and worship God regularly, I remain humble and remember my place in relation to God--he is the provider, I am merely a steward of the gifts He has given me.
• By living in peace with everyone, I exhibit the nature of Christ to the World.

God, thank you for the sacrifice that your son has made. Thank you for the Word that you have given. Give me the wisdom to be a good steward of the gifts you have given to me. Help me remember the price that Christ had to pay. Help me lay aside the weight of the sins in my life and any unholy desires or jealousy that may arise in me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that you have sent as my helper in this life. Amen

BTW... Ohio State defeated the Fighting Illini 30-0. In two years Ohio State will change to the standard semester system that most universities use. They will lose the advantage they have had--their classes will start weeks earlier. Maybe then Illinois will stand a chance.