Hebrews 12:1 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,

Paul used a variety of visual images to convey his messages. Readers could picture in their memories Roman soldiers in the armor of Ephesians 6. He liked sports metaphors also. Competitive racing was used here. So I would ask you to picture in your mind’s eye the scene wherein you are about to run this race.

Do you see an Olympic stadium full of cheering crowds out to encourage athletes from their country? Do you see banners, and colors, and national identity all around you? Do you see the podium awaiting the winner, the prize of a gold medal to be won? Can you see yourself standing on the top step victorious?

Is that really the image Paul is trying to portray for Christians?

How easily it is to forget that in the previous chapter Paul was pointing to a long list of men of faith that came before us. He begins with the word wherefore here in 12:1 as a starting point to remember that long list of witnesses, not of their efforts but of God’s. There faithfulness was not in self-effort but rather in being given the opportunity to see God work in power in their lives. Each and every one of them if asked would answer, “To God be the Glory.”

Yet when we picture things thru the human experience, to relatable concepts, we drag fleshly emotions into spiritual concepts and paint the wrong image. Maybe in some sense of duty to those who went before us Paul is allowing you to hear “Make us proud.” I don’t know. That may work for some as a method of encouragement. Some need to hear the cheering crowd.

But who gets the glory in that?

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There is something within me that says caution every time I hear a man say “My calling.” It is because I have witnessed abuse in the use of “the calling”. In those circumstances it was often to draw attention to themselves. In some cases to use others.

Do you understand the high calling of God in Christ Jesus? It isn’t one of many high callings, it is singular in nature and design, it is THE calling. If you do not know what that high calling is, I am happy to share it with you. I will use gifts and talents to do that. They are not a calling, they are but the means to an end.

It is the simplest of ideas and yet impossible to perform. Impossible because we cannot make it happen and no amount of “calling” can perform it.

Thus saith the LORD. “I will be glorified.”

Glory in the New Testament definition is the essence of God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. It is who God is, in person. In order to present Himself, He has to be present, and we do not control that. He is not a thing possessed, He possesses us. We are His to do with as He wills.

It is a vain thing to say “Christ is in me, just look and you can see Him.” While it is true that Christ is in us, the revelation of Christ is His choosing, His way, His timing, and according to what the Father has set in order to achieve.

He does not need our help, but He does seek our cooperation. It is expressed in the simple term, “If you love me.” The only true motivating force within the Kingdom is His perfect love. No amount of knowledge, gifts, talents, works, or obedience of faith can overshadow that love.

God is love. He will be glorified.