Hebrews 12 - Racing With Discipline

We are to shed sin and anything else that keeps us from our goal.  What is our goal?  It is the race marked out for us.  How do we run that race?  By fixing our eyes on Jesus.  Is that always easy to do?  No, the race marked out for us is often difficult.  Why?  Because God is training us.  He is disciplining us, and discipline is usually difficult or painful.  Why would God inflict or allow pain?  Because we are growing and being made more like Him.  We are maturing, learning and gaining strength.  And God is guiding that entire process because of His great love for us.  When we are hurting, when life is hard, we can rest in the knowledge that we have a God who understands, cares and loves perfectly.  He is using our pain to change us and change the world.  His Kingdom cannot be shaken and we are to thankfully come to Him with reverence and awe.  He always accepts us.