This is the "Roller Coaster Ridge" trail
in San Clemente, CA:
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My dad came to visit me for my birthday last semester, and we decided to brave this hike together. Neither of us are regular hikers or in particularly exceptional shape, so it wasn't easy. But boy, did we have fun. It's honestly one of my favorite memories with him - which is saying a lot, because I'm a Daddy's girl, through and through. I love him so much and it's always precious when we get to spend time together.
But there's a reason this memory sticks out to me. (Besides all the silly pictures we took together!) Recently, while I was spending some quiet time reading Hebrews 12, I was reminded of my father and I's most recent adventure together. It made me think about temptations and perseverance in a different way than I normally do, and I wanted to share some thoughts.
"Therefore...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."
It is really, really hard to resist temptation. Sin clings SO closely - and guilt weighs heavily upon my heart sometimes.
I struggle on a daily basis to spend intentional time in prayer and fellowship with God, to fight lust, to hold in hurtful words against the people in my life, to not be lazy, to resist the pride of my accomplishments, and to surrender control of my life to God, and much more.
Honestly, I just get tired.
When you're on a long run, some miles are easier than others. Sometimes your chest is burning and your legs feel like lead and you just think, "I can't do this anymore - I have to stop, I have to either give up or throw up." I remember having those feelings on the Roller Coaster Ridge hike. Although, as difficult as it was, we never got to the point of shedding blood.
In Hebrews 12, Paul calls us to think about the struggle against temptations that Jesus had to face:
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
Sometimes I feel like fighting temptations is a battle that I have to go through alone. I imagine God looking down on me, closely watching, saying, "You better not screw it up this time. Work harder. Run faster. If Jesus did it, you can too." But that is such a perverted lie. Paul doesn't tell us about what Jesus accomplished to fan the flame of competition within us. He tells us as an encouragement.
Because Jesus has already run the race, he knows all the ups and downs and turns that we cannot foresee. He ran ahead so that he could come back and run with us. Yes, it's hard, and that's why Paul calls it "discipline." But discipline is a process that God takes us through - not alone, but with HIM. Why? Because he so desperately, wonderfully, and unconditionally adores us.
That's why he wants us to endure. I think about my own father, and how much he loves me. When I was little and he punished me, I never questioned whether or not I had lost his approval or affections. So why do I question that with God, who loves me so much more?
"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
I love the feeling of "runner's high." The running part itself, I'm not a big fan of. But after you get done with a long run, stretch and take a nice warm shower, you just feel so good. Running is painful, but it yields the reward of feeling amazing and being healthy and sleeping better (and eating that delicious slice of chocolate cake without experiencing guilt or regret!)
God knows what is good for us. Just like our parents did when we were little - although honestly, my parents STILL know better than I do - He sees things that we don't see. He sees all the intricate threads woven in the world and he stands outside of time. He knows how helpless we are, and that sin clings to us. In fact, he could leave us all alone to our stupidity and own demise. But he loves us too much to do that. He wants us to experience that runner's high - so like a coach or a loving dad, he pushes us.
But he is with us the whole time. In fact, not only is he with us, cheering us on, praying and interceding for us, but in Corinthians Paul says:
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
God is with us. He is for us. He's not waiting to laugh at us when we fail, or say, "I told you so." He wants us to succeed and he helps us to do it. We never, ever have to run alone.
"Therefore...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."
It is really, really hard to resist temptation. Sin clings SO closely - and guilt weighs heavily upon my heart sometimes.
I struggle on a daily basis to spend intentional time in prayer and fellowship with God, to fight lust, to hold in hurtful words against the people in my life, to not be lazy, to resist the pride of my accomplishments, and to surrender control of my life to God, and much more.
Honestly, I just get tired.
When you're on a long run, some miles are easier than others. Sometimes your chest is burning and your legs feel like lead and you just think, "I can't do this anymore - I have to stop, I have to either give up or throw up." I remember having those feelings on the Roller Coaster Ridge hike. Although, as difficult as it was, we never got to the point of shedding blood.
In Hebrews 12, Paul calls us to think about the struggle against temptations that Jesus had to face:
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
Sometimes I feel like fighting temptations is a battle that I have to go through alone. I imagine God looking down on me, closely watching, saying, "You better not screw it up this time. Work harder. Run faster. If Jesus did it, you can too." But that is such a perverted lie. Paul doesn't tell us about what Jesus accomplished to fan the flame of competition within us. He tells us as an encouragement.
Because Jesus has already run the race, he knows all the ups and downs and turns that we cannot foresee. He ran ahead so that he could come back and run with us. Yes, it's hard, and that's why Paul calls it "discipline." But discipline is a process that God takes us through - not alone, but with HIM. Why? Because he so desperately, wonderfully, and unconditionally adores us.
That's why he wants us to endure. I think about my own father, and how much he loves me. When I was little and he punished me, I never questioned whether or not I had lost his approval or affections. So why do I question that with God, who loves me so much more?
"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
I love the feeling of "runner's high." The running part itself, I'm not a big fan of. But after you get done with a long run, stretch and take a nice warm shower, you just feel so good. Running is painful, but it yields the reward of feeling amazing and being healthy and sleeping better (and eating that delicious slice of chocolate cake without experiencing guilt or regret!)
God knows what is good for us. Just like our parents did when we were little - although honestly, my parents STILL know better than I do - He sees things that we don't see. He sees all the intricate threads woven in the world and he stands outside of time. He knows how helpless we are, and that sin clings to us. In fact, he could leave us all alone to our stupidity and own demise. But he loves us too much to do that. He wants us to experience that runner's high - so like a coach or a loving dad, he pushes us.
But he is with us the whole time. In fact, not only is he with us, cheering us on, praying and interceding for us, but in Corinthians Paul says:
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
