Hanging On

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 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, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

 Hebrews 12:1-2

    In order to hang on, you must let go. This seems counterproductive at first glance. If we let go, we might fall and get hurt. If we let go, we might hurt someone else, and we might even hurt ourselves. Yet, letting go can also allow us to hang on to what matters. 

    We can hang onto the righteousness of God. This helps us to run with patience. When the race is long and arduous, and when life doesn’t end up as we planned, we can look forward to letting go of the doubts and sins that tell us to quit, give up, and stop running. When that is done, we hang onto the result that Jesus achieved. 

    Our Lord endured the suffering of the cross and the shame that went along with it for the joy that was set before Him. Jesus endured it all. He endured the pain for the joy that was the redemption of mankind.  He endured the spikes for the joy of calling you His own. He endured the stripes and the crown of thorns for the joy of saving your soul. He was able to let go of His own self-preservation for the sake of yours. 

    Do not be mistaken; the mission of Jesus was not to preserve you so that you might remain in sin (1 Cor 6:9-11, 1 John 1:5-2:1). Instead, He gave us the example of how we can let go to hang on. Hanging on to Jesus requires your letting go of all the sin which formerly entangled you. He came for you to solely hang onto Him. By looking to Jesus, we become more like Jesus. Then, one glorious day, we will be with Jesus in eternity if we love and serve Him in the present. 

Grace and Peace, 

R.D. Beavers