Running the Race of Patience

"A paradox", G. K. Chesterton said, "Is truth standing on its head to get attention".

So, here's a paradox for today's post. In Hebrews 12:1.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

'Run', with 'patience'.

This is a paradox, and it's designed to get attention. And applicably enough, the truth that it holds is one that's quite important to all of us, but probably more so to those of us 'in the days of our youth'.

You see, we get the idea of running a race. We get the idea of training with weights, of building endurance, and of laying the weights aside and running the race, all stops out.

But what does 'patience' have to do with 'running a race'? I mean, running is about running and patience is about waiting - how is patience supposed to help us win a race when we're running full tilt, no time for delay?

Run with patience. When we were children we often heard "Don't run, be patient, etc." In fact there's a song I often heard, -yes, my mom sang it to me when I was in a hurry: Be patient/ Be patient/ Don't be in such a hurry/ When you get impatient/ You only start to worry/ Remember/ Remember/ That God is patient too/ And think of all the times/ When others had to wait for you

For all it's virtues, that hardly sounds like running a race.

Run with patience. Has this paradox gotten your attention yet?

It doesn't mean 'slow down'. It doesn't mean 'sit down'. It means RUN, laying aside every weight, -but with patience.

I'd like to give you a new look at patience: Patience is not twiddling my thumbs, waiting for 'something' to happen. Patience is a mental powerhouse that enables us to maintain a clear head and clear vision, even in the most tedious, complex, confusing, and stressful conditions.

Consider the race: All runners are ready, set, on their mark, and at the crack of the pistol all are running. The sun is blistering, and everyone is running to the physical limit of their bodies, sweating from every pore. To your left, your nemesis is starting to edge past you, and your temper starts to tingle.

Look at the paradox again, and edit: 'Run, with impatience'. What happens next?

You see, we might have learned patience as sitting still and being quiet, but real life patience for grown men and women takes on a different paradigm - Running, racing, with patience.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Run, with patience.