Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2
Get ready to turn on your imagination. In Psalm 40: 7-8 it says, "Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”". Our Father has written a book for each one of us. Now imagine a pen writing on a page in a book that is larger than life. Each letter, each word, gracefully flowing from the ink in the pen as it glides across the paper. As the pen moves a child dancing across the words playfully and careful to stay on the lines that are scribed, as if playing a game of hopscotch on the words while following the pen across the page. The child is not concerned with what has already been written or of what is yet to be made known.
We are to be like that child. Doe sHe not say the kingdom belongs to thosew who are child like (Matt 19:14)?. We are not to worry about tomorrow or be hindered by our past. This is the day the LORD has made and we are to rejoice and be glad in it (Palms 118:24)! We are designed to spend each day enjoying the presence of our God as sons and daughters trusting and delighting in Him. It is from this position that we can truly run our race that he has set before us. It is from this position that we can find joy as we look for each step that he lays out for us. Life looks less like a warzone to be maneuveredmand more like a hopscotch game to be followed.
War is not entirely out of the picture though. Even though their is great joy to be had there is also a cross to laid hold of (and i dare say you cannot separate the two). God does tell us that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalites, powwers, and heirs of darkness (Eph 6:12) and that we are to behave and act like good soldiers (2 Tim). Interestingly enough, the childrens game of hopscotch has military origins. Back when the romans were in their military prowess part of the training for the soldiers were courses, much like hopscotch patterns, that were about a 100 feet long. The soldiers would put on all their armor and equipment and navigate these courses to improve agility and strength. Children admiring these soldiers would mimic these courses, hence creating the game of hopscotch. Unlike the roman soldiers, though, who were told to put on all their burdensome supplies, we are told to throw of anything that would ensnare or slow us down. Instead we are told to put on the armor of God (Eph 6) and to put on Christ (Rom 13:14) which is easy and light (Matt 11:30). We are called to look to our Commander and follow His commands and orders for our lives and each day.
When we learn to be like children in faith and then also sons in position, we become soldiers of Christ that are care free (or should i say free of the cares of this world) and able to live out each day of our lives truly full of life and joy.
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