Growing up in the farming country of the Texas Panhandle, one of my first paying jobs was driving a tractor. A lot of the crops were “dry land” (watered by rain) so there was little need to have nice straight rows. When it came time to prepare land for irrigation, the job became a little more difficult. The rows needed to be straight and uniform to cut down on erosion as the water flowed between the seedbeds. Once the first furrow was made, all you had to do was keep the wheel in the furrow to follow the guide row, but you had to find something in the distance to line up on for the first row. If you didn’t keep your tractor lined up with the reference point at the end of the row, the whole field could end up with crooked rows that would be destroyed by the water.
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.
Hebrews 12:1-2
The Bible is full of reference points for a life of faith. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 tells the story of numerous people who demonstrated a life lived through faith in God. Their lives stand as examples of the blessings that come from lives lived in tune with God. All of those listed, even though they were human and had human frailties and failures, chose to allow God to set their paths and direct their steps. The very fact that some of those listed slipped and fell at times should give us hope and instruction. Hope in the finished work of our salvation and instruction in keeping everything out of our lives that slow our progress toward the goal Jesus set before us.
Scripture tells us that all Christians have a part in the harvest. Some prepare the soil, some sow the seeds, some water the crops, and some gather the harvest. We will all be involved in each activity at some time or another. Jesus has set the example for all phases of the work. He set the standard by coming to earth and living a sinless life, totally dedicated to the work of His Father. All we have to do is keep the wheel in the guide row and continue to do the work of the Lord. As long as we follow the commission Jesus gave us and stay the course He set, our work will not be in vain.
Even if we lose focus and let our rows start to waver, we can take heart in the fact that Jesus Is always there at the end of the field, giving us the reference point we need to get things headed back in the right direction. He has plowed this same field many times and knows where all the rocks are and how to avoid them while still preparing a field that will produce a great harvest. We have to recognize our part in the harvest and go about fulfilling our calling through faith.
We serve an awesome God!!!!!
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.
Hebrews 12:1-2
The Bible is full of reference points for a life of faith. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 tells the story of numerous people who demonstrated a life lived through faith in God. Their lives stand as examples of the blessings that come from lives lived in tune with God. All of those listed, even though they were human and had human frailties and failures, chose to allow God to set their paths and direct their steps. The very fact that some of those listed slipped and fell at times should give us hope and instruction. Hope in the finished work of our salvation and instruction in keeping everything out of our lives that slow our progress toward the goal Jesus set before us.
Scripture tells us that all Christians have a part in the harvest. Some prepare the soil, some sow the seeds, some water the crops, and some gather the harvest. We will all be involved in each activity at some time or another. Jesus has set the example for all phases of the work. He set the standard by coming to earth and living a sinless life, totally dedicated to the work of His Father. All we have to do is keep the wheel in the guide row and continue to do the work of the Lord. As long as we follow the commission Jesus gave us and stay the course He set, our work will not be in vain.
Even if we lose focus and let our rows start to waver, we can take heart in the fact that Jesus Is always there at the end of the field, giving us the reference point we need to get things headed back in the right direction. He has plowed this same field many times and knows where all the rocks are and how to avoid them while still preparing a field that will produce a great harvest. We have to recognize our part in the harvest and go about fulfilling our calling through faith.
We serve an awesome God!!!!!
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