September 3 | Hebrews 12:1-2

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 12:1-2

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REFLECTION

RUN TO THE FATHER

By Katie Borden

I don’t know about you, but when I hear this text, the baked-in running analogy brings to life a vivid picture in my mind. I wonder if you can see it, too? Take a moment and imagine this text, brought to life in your mind’s eye.

What do you picture?

Maybe you imagined something that looks like an Olympic stadium, with runners blazing down the track at nearly superhuman speeds, straining to get their chest to break the finish line tape first. These Herculean athletes look every bit the part–muscles trained, the right equipment (but not too much equipment, lest it slow them down!), pre-race rituals followed religiously.

This is what I first think of, too, as do a lot of us. Sweat pouring down the faces of the athletes, grimaces followed by collapse across the finish line.

And sometimes (maybe even often), yes, the Christian life can look like this. We are guaranteed struggle in this life, and this passage has often been rightly used as an encouragement to persevere through challenges, with a promised finish line at the end.

Now, while I think this picture is accurate, I'm not sure it's complete... so may I offer an additional picture for your imagination? One that has recently been shaping my Christian imagination in new ways?

Picture, if you will, a different kind of runner. One who is two, maybe three years old. A runner who is wearing some of those tiny sneakers from Baby Gap and isn’t on a track, but stumbling through grass, the biggest delighted grin on their face. This runner has just discovered what it means to take running steps and is trying it out, tumbling all over the place with laughter and grass filling the air.

Most importantly, picture who is with this runner in their quest, cheering them on, waiting for them to fall across the “finish line” with open arms and the biggest smile on their face.

Are you imagining the joy in the face of both the parent and the toddler in this picture?

Me too.

I’ve started noticing the word “joy” more often when it shows up in Scripture. This passage, one that quite honestly used to scare me a little bit because of how hard it sounded and how much it made me think I’d fail, suddenly became more inspiring when I noticed that Jesus had joy in his journey (v.2)–even in the excruciating anguish of the cross–because what he was journeying for was unquestionably worth the pain and shame.

And I’ve forgotten this. I’ve forgotten, at times, to run toward the face of my heavenly Father who is waiting for me with open arms. I’ve been so focused on myself–I've done the training, worked myself to the bone, and endured the pain (with "suboptimal" results). But sometimes I’ve forgotten what it’s all for.

So I repent–literally, I turn–again to the face of my God who loves me, and his love changes everything.

One final picture for you:

Think again about that child, running awkwardly but joyfully… imagine the parent, not just waiting across the yard for the little one to figure out how to get there, but also helping the child run, holding their arms and supporting them as they figure out how to take these steps, one by one. What joy and love there is between parent and child in this picture!

That is who our God is.

Our God is the one who went before us in the race, in Jesus.

Our God is the parent, the Father with joy in his face and outstretched arms.

And our God is the one helping us, empowering us to take our steps–in it together with us through the Holy Spirit.

And if that’s not a reason to run for joy, I don’t know what is.

PRAYER

God, thank you for going before me to show me the Way. Thank you for shining your face on me. And thank you for going with me in this life. Teach me what it means to turn my face to you and press on with joy. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.