Heb. 12:1 - 2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

From time to time we all get tired. I was really whupped last week. Today I’m tired, mostly because I had a really weird dream last night that woke me up at 2am and I couldn’t get back to sleep until 5am. But there’s a different kind of tired, it’s a spiritual weariness that comes from long, prolonged, or really long times of effort for the kingdom.

When I get to this point, I’m always reminded of the passage above in Hebrews 12. It’s an encouragement to me to read these words and understand that there are others who have gone on before me who have struggled in the same ways I have in the past.

Here’s what I get from this passage...

1. The Witnesses Of Heaven - Remember we’re in a contest, and those that have gone before us are cheering us on. We’re not trailblazing this road... many saints have walked it before. It’s not about the work, it’s about the work he does in us.

2. Get Rid Of Dead Weight - Cut out of your life whatever is preventing you from being all that Christ wants you to be. No need to carry that grandfather clock if it’s causing you to fall by the way.

3. Run Through The Wall - When your hope fails, keep going. When your muscles ache, keep going. When your spirit fails, keep going. The blessing is just around the corner. Endurance is more that giving all that you have - it’s giving beyond all that you have and letting God do the rest.

4. The Race Marked Out For Us - Don’t compare yourself to anyone else on the team. Do what your good at and what your assigned to do to the best of your ability.

5. Follow The Leader - Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Don’t follow man, no matter how charismatic he is, stay focused on Jesus who died for you. Man will fail you, Jesus never does.

6. Anticipate Heaven While You Endure Your Cross - Never forget why we are doing what we are doing. Someday the “joy set before Him” will apply to each and every one of us.

7. Stay In Your Giftedness - Operating in your gift mix will prevent you from taxing your flesh and also build your spirit. When we operate in our giftedness - ministry is a joy, not a burden. Let go of your ego and delegate what you’re not good at. You might as well admit what you can’t do, everyone else is already aware of it.

How about you friend? You there?

I’m living testimony that God can raise up a dead heart. He can do it for you too. I know it, but better yet, I know Him.

Heb. 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Gal. 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”