I remember, as a child, watching the Road Runner cartoon. I loved the devious road runner who outsmarted every move that Wile E. Coyote used to trap him. With a sly look and a beep-beep, the roadrunner would sidestep the devious plans of the coyote and continue on its journey.
Recently, I was in Arizona, and we spotted a roadrunner. Just for the record, it looked nothing like the cartoon image! But this swift bird quickly disappeared and continued on its way.
One of the capabilities that the Lord gave to the roadrunner is to run. Why? Because the roadrunner cannot fly long distances. Therefore, God gave it the ability to run.
Although we are created to soar on eagles’ wings (see Isa. 40:31), God has also given us the ability to run. When was the last time you took a run, and as you were gasping for breath, asked God to help you run with perseverance? I love what Hebrews 12:1-3 says in The Passion Translation:
As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So, we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.
We look away from the natural realm, and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!
So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.
The roadrunner could not get caught up in the coyote’s schemes any more than we can get caught up in the systems of man or the demonic. Just as the coyote was adept at setting traps to slow down the roadrunner, so we have forces working against us being able to run with speed and perseverance. Anything that we get caught up in that does not align with the kingdom of heaven becomes a weight that holds us back.
For more on how you can build courage and perseverance to fight against the enemy’s schemes, read the rest of the story here and listen to Real Truth With Ruth on the Charisma Podcast Network. {eoa}
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