Considering Jesus
“1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
For many, Christmas is the time of year where we read the story of our precious Savior's birth. With excitement, we read the story of our Hope who came to earth to redeem all sinners to our Mighty God.
Today, I opened my bible to Hebrews 12 and read the first verse. I read the first verse, and I wept. I wept because I am TIRED.
What an incredibly unstable year this has been for all of us. Trials have continued to come like waves crashing on a beachfront. It seems that just when I see the lifeboat ahead of me, yet another wave crashes over my head causing me to dip back into the stormy sea. Waves of discouragement, disappointment, anxiety, depression, confusion, the sin of this world.
Thinking about running any sort of race right now makes me think to myself, “How?! The waves are heavy and I am so tired. I have nothing more to give.” Now, this might seem somewhat dramatic - but I am positive that there are sisters in Christ, if not you and I included, that have thought this at some point this year.
We are only days away from Christmas Day, but some of you might be asking, “How will I make it, what will the next year bring, how do I not lose heart?”
Today I opened my bible to Hebrews 12 and I read the first three verses. I read the first three verses and I found the answer to my question.
Yes, it has been a YEAR. And yes, trials will continue to come. How do we stand firm? Where do we find our hope? How do we not lose heart? Verses two and three tell us: “...looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
We found our answer. We fix our eyes on Jesus. We consider Him. What does it mean to consider Him? To consider means to think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision.
Notice the word “decision” in that definition. In the moments where everything seems just too much, we need to stop and decide to consider Him. We need to make space for Him in our lives where we can sit with Him, spend time with Him, read His Word, and wait and listen for what He has to say. We must decide to actually do it, not just read about doing it.
This is how we endure these trials, sisters. He is our strength and our hope and the only consistent thing in our lives. The world will continue to twist and turn, bringing disappointment and discouragement. May our lives look different than what the world has to offer because our eyes are fixed on Christ.
Philippians 3:12 tells us, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”
Press on and lay hold.
I want to encourage you; the Bible is full of hope for us. It is the inspired Word of God meant to encourage us, challenge us, convict us, and share with us stories of our King Jesus. I urge you to open your Bibles to Matthew 1:18 and read until you get to Matthew 2:11. This is the story of our Hope come to us: Jesus.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). - Matthew 1:23
He is with you, sister!
Merry Christmas! May God be glorified in and through you!