What Hebrews 12 Says About What I am Lacking

In early May, I was drawn into a long process of reading and pondering Hebrews 12. And it has stayed with me now for over a month. I find it strange that Scripture can do that in unexpected ways and in unexpected times.

I have been thinking about writing a blogpost on the experience for a few weeks now, but I feel totally inadequate to capture the powerful presence it has had on me. I go to bed thinking about it, and wake up at 3:00 rehearsing it in my mind, and find it waiting on me again the next morning.

God is definitely trying to get my attention.

Hebrews chapter 12 is indeed a powerful and inspiring passage that can guide me towards living a more intentional and disciplined life while deepening my understanding of God as a loving father. This chapter emphasizes the importance of perseverance and highlights God's role in my growth and development.

The chapter begins by encouraging me to run the race of life with endurance, keeping my focus on Jesus, who is the ultimate example of faith and perseverance. It reminds me that I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, referring to the faithful men and women who have gone before me and left a legacy of faith. Their lives serve as a testament to the possibility of living a disciplined and intentional life, even in the face of challenges and hardships.

The passage then addresses the idea of God's loving discipline. It states that God treats me as His child and disciplines me out of love. Just as an earthly father disciplines his children for their benefit, God disciplines me to shape me into becoming a better man. This discipline is not meant to harm me but to train me, refine my character, and draw me closer to Him. It is a sign of His care and investment in my growth and ultimately my eternal life with Him.

Understanding God as my loving father who disciplines me is a transformative perspective. It helps me see that the challenges and difficulties I face in life are not meaningless or arbitrary but purposeful tools for my growth. It reminds me that God's desire is not to make my life miserable but to mold me into the person He created me to be.

This understanding also calls for a response on my part. It challenges me to embrace discipline in my own life, to cultivate intentionality, and to persevere through the various trials I encounter. Just as an athlete endures rigorous training to achieve success, I am called to endure and persist in my pursuit of a life rooted in faith and godly character.

Living a disciplined life involves intentional choices and actions. It requires setting goals, establishing healthy habits, and making daily decisions that align with my values and the principles outlined in Scripture. It means prioritizing my relationship with God, spending time in prayer and studying His Word, and seeking His guidance in all aspects of my day.

I have actually fallen away from this over the last few years.... the years since Covid have really taken a toll.... but God is so good. He loves me too much to let me stay there.

I feel a summer breeze is going to refresh me in a new and improved way!

“Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭32‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬