I’m thinking there’s probably any number of reasons why a runner might slow down, or even stop, before crossing the finish line. Could be because of an injury. Could be because they are overcome with weariness and feel like there’s no more gas in the tank. On a marathon in particular, it might be because they view themselves as having fallen so far behind others that they wonder, “What’s the point?” Or, maybe they slow down simply because they’ve become distracted and have focused on something else. We could brainstorm more “how comes?”, but you get the idea.

The Christian life is a likened to a race, isn’t it? Yeah, it is. Check out Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 4:7, and Hebrews 12:1.

For those of us who have run the race for a while, we know it’s not a sprint. It’s not even just a marathon. Instead, it’s a lifelong race. Crossing the finish line is not something we are going to attain this side of eternity, but something we press on toward in anticipation of eternity (Php. 3:12-14). And in running that race, there are a number of reasons why we might pull up before the end. But this morning my reading in Hebrews whispers, “Don’t do it. Don’t slow down. Don’t stop running the race.”

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(Hebrews 6:10-12 ESV)

Don’t be sluggish . . . that’s the meat for this morning.

Literally, don’t be slow or languid. Keep up the enthusiasm and energy.

Tired? Weak? “Keep on keepin’ on,” as my friend, Wynn, would always say.

Don’t be sluggish. The original word is pretty rare, found only one other place in the New Testament — in yesterday’s reading, where it’s translated as “dull”, as in “dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11). Don’t be dull. Don’t be lazy. Don’t stop leaning in. Don’t stop pressing forward. Don’t be sluggish.

Okay! I get it! Boy, do I get it. Beat up sometimes? Exhausted other times? Been there, experienced that. So far behind at times I can’t even imagine, must less see the finish line? Yup! Distracted? Oh yeah! That too!

So how do I do it? How do I gut it out? How do I press through the wall when I hit it? How do I not be sluggish?

Well, as I noodle on it a bit, I’m reminded that it’s not really about gutting it out as much as it is about gracing it out.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28 ESV)

Wait on the LORD . . . and you won’t be sluggish. Fall on the LORD and you won’t faint. Rely on the LORD and He will renew your strength.

Dealing with sluggishness, dullness, weariness, and fear of coming up short is not found in anxiously asking, “Lord, how I do I press on,” but in believing with quiet confidence the question really needs to be, “Lord, how do WE keep on keepin’ on?” For we have been crucified with Christ, our life hidden in His, so that it is no longer we who run, but Christ who runs in us (Gal. 2:20, Col. 3:3). The One who declared “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30), securing our victory on the cross, is also the One who will see to it that we cross the finish line (Php. 1:6).

Mine is to recognize the sluggishness. Mine is to have a holy disdain for the dullness. And then, mine is to abide. Abide in the Vine, apart from Whom I can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). Abide in my weakness, for it is there that the power of Christ, by His all-sufficient grace, will rest on me (2Cor. 12:9).

Not gutting it out but gracing it out.

By His grace overflowing without end.

For His glory all-deserving forever and always.

Amen?