THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN (DEVOTIONALS)
With Joy
In our reading of God’s calling that was given to Mary by the Angel Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38, we heard how Mary faced a challenging and unknown future with faith. The way she embraced this call from the Lord gave her the ability to welcome the coming of the Christ through her own discomfort and pain with a sense of joy.
Mary was not the first, nor will she be the last to face a trial or hardship as a result of being a part of God’s purpose and will here on earth. In the passage that follows, we hear a reminder of the way Jesus Christ faced his time of trial with a sense of joy and accomplishment:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
In the Cloud
As the previous chapter in the message of Hebrews makes plain, the story of faith and grace is a long one that many notable people have been a part of as they embraced the calling of God in their lives. These people are referred to here as being a part of the “cloud of witnesses”.
As followers of Christ, we are called to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” And as we seek to embrace this call from God, we need to see that we are not alone in this mission. We have people all around us, past and present, who serve as encouragers and motivators for our faith, and for our willingness to become more and more obedient to the call of God in our lives.
Fix Our Eyes
The number one resource for the follower of Christ, in terms of our willingness and ability to embrace our calling from the Lord with all of its associated costs and challenges, is none other than the Christ himself.
As we seek to run our race of perseverance, we are to fix our eyes on the person and work of Jesus Christ as the goal on the horizon to which we run. Jesus is the cause and sustainer of our faith and our desire to obey his calling. So, it makes sense that we turn to him for our inspiration and strength.
For the Joy
One of the ways in which we are called to emulate Christ is seen in the fact that the Lord embraced his calling and purpose with joy. Jesus endured so much in his lifetime because of his work as our Savior. He did so with joy. With joy!
If the Lord embraced his work and calling with joy, then we too can follow in his footsteps, and be people who say “yes” to the call of Christ without bitterness and complaint. As we consider him, we are able to keep going without growing weary and loosing heart.
Reflection
As we embrace our calling in the Lord today, may we meditate on the message of the following passage, taking its truth to heart as we reflect on all that lies before us:
“The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.”
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH
“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”
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