What We All Have in Common

January 22, 2025

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

It’s snowing again. Outside my window this January morning snowflakes are lazily drifting down to join the millions already on the ground, covering the Christmas lights yet to be put away, and decorating the world with their own stunning collective beauty. Looking at all of them working together reminds me that though science tells us that every single snowflake is unique, there is also much these tiny minuscule creations have in common. They can work together to cover the world with icy beauty, warm the ground for plants to grow through the winter, give much needed moisture, and more.

We are like them. Each of us is wonderfully unique, lovingly created with both individual and collective purpose. For instance, even though our journeys are all different, and the “race” we must run is specifically our own, we have similarities as part of the dynamic and impactful Kingdom of God. One of the similarities is that God uses common elements to develop each one’s faith and equip us for the unique and special race He has set before us.

As we grow in our trust of our Creator and Father, we discover there are five catalysts for shaping and growth God uses in each life. The first of these is Practical Teaching. When the Hebrew author wrote the Scripture we read today, he was not writing to ignorant people. The Olympic games were familiar to them. The first ancient Olympic Games were held in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece. The games were held every four years for almost 1,200 years. Everyone knew about them, and knew the races were not for the casual jogger. They knew that the races, watched by mammoth crowds in the filled arena, were so big the participants trained regularly. Most of the Greek contestants ran naked because their training and experience informed them that clothing slowed their race. They ate differently, trained differently, and ran differently because they put in the time and effort to learn. They applied in the best way they knew what they had learned.

Today we have so much access to practical teaching – messages from the pastor, radio, TV, podcasts, conferences, and books are constantly not only available, but we have to purposely refuse practical teaching to not receive it. But the key is, hearing it is not enough. Jesus said knowledge not taken to heart and applied is worthless. Learn – then put it to work as you run your race to win.

• Read Matthew 7:24-27 and think about it. What have I been taught lately that really needs to be learned … put into practice.