FROM THE TOP
LELAND ACKER
Remember those old Army recruitment commercials... the ones with the slogan, "Be all you can be."

They were catchy commercials with a great slogan and jingle.

"Be, all that you can be, find your future, in the Army."

Such a jingle attracted many young men who sought to maximize their potential. They enlisted, worked hard through basic and advanced training, and went on to rewarding careers, some in the Army, some in private industry. Others used the Army to fund their college education.

However, being all that you can be was not a concept invented by the U.S. Army, regardless of how much I respect the military. No, being all you can be is a Biblical concept, penned by the writer of Hebrews almost 2,000 years ago.

"Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith: Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The scriptures compare life as a Christian to running a race. A runner has to keep himself in shape and does not wear anything that will get in the way of his running (laying aside every weight). He also maintains a healthy lifestyle. Runners don't overeat. (Laying aside every sin.)

Hebrews 12 teaches us that we ought to live just like those runners. We need to run our race, and do so to the best of our ability.

Notice, the scripture says,

Run the race set before us." Everyone has a different race to run. People have all kinds of different vocations and callings in life. This verse teaches us to perform those vocations and callings to the best of our ability.

Why does God want us to do everything to the best of our ability? Because God wants us to use that for His honor and glory.

Over the next few weeks, we'll discuss how we should run our races. We'll discuss why we should run our races. We'll discuss how we should run our races. Finally, we'll discuss the ultimate example of a race runner.

I love to see people excel and maximize their potential. It's a blessing to see people's lives progress, workers get promoted and kids go to college. Let's do all for God's glory. chreporter@mediactr.com