Thanks for stopping by “Karen’s Notes.”
This is Volume 7 Number 7 and is # 303 of her published Notes.

Think with me today about this great Biblical principle:
“When Running the Race, Remember the Rules!”
Part One February 14th, 2024

Karen was studying through Hebrews 11 and 12. She, as the very athletic Karen, apparently invested a little extra time at Hebrews 12:1-2. There the writer of Hebrews likens the Christian life to a race that is being run. Let me share the verses and then more of what she wrote in her Bible study journal.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In her Bible study journal, she jotted this down: If I am going to be a faithful witness (Hebrews 11) then I also need to be a faithful runner! (Hebrews 12:1-2). Thus I must know the rules of the race.

Never waste energy by complaining. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Therefore by Him let us continuously offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:5, 15).

Never lose focus by comparing. “Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).

Michael’s observation: Next week I will share two more “rules of the race” that she wrote in her journal. Those who know Karen and me understand that if I were writing about these first two rules, there would be pages and pages of notes. Though Karen’s notes are often brief, they are also very pointed and powerful.

These things really struck her as she desired to run her race. Good runners do not stand around complaining about the present conditions. Good runners do not stop and make comparisons with others who are running. They simply run. I will do well to take these very brief observations and put them into practice as I run the race in my Christian life.