STILL RUNNING THE RACE : By the Grace of God
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
"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." Hebrews 12:1-2
This week has been another reminder of the faithfulness of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
One of my greatest privileges is standing behind the pulpit each Sunday, proclaiming the Word of God as the Holy Spirit leads. There is no greater honor than preaching the Gospel and watching the Holy Spirit minister to people's hearts. Every message reminds me that this calling has never been about my own strength or ability. It has always been about yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit.
This past Sunday was no different.
Then on Tuesday, I received another treatment. By Tuesday evening and throughout Wednesday, the side effects hit hard. I was sick, exhausted, and simply did not feel well. Some weeks in this journey have been more difficult than others, and this was one of those weeks. Yet on Thursday morning, the Holy Spirit gently prompted me to get up for my morning prayer run.
As I began to run, I immediately noticed the difference. My body still felt the effects of treatment. My pace was slower than usual, and my strength was not where I wanted it to be. Yet with every step, the Holy Spirit reminded me that my weakness never limits God's grace. His strength was carrying me farther than my own ever could.
There was a moment during my run when I stopped and looked up. Less than forty-eight hours earlier, I had been struggling through the effects of treatment. Yet there I stood, moving forward once again. Not because of my own strength, but because the Holy Spirit had faithfully sustained me. As I stood there praying, the Holy Spirit brought my thoughts to Jesus.
I began thinking about how easy it is to become consumed with our own struggles, physical pain, emotional burdens, and spiritual battles. Life has a way of placing obstacles in our path that test our endurance and challenge our faith.
But then the Holy Spirit gently shifted my perspective.
No matter what I have faced, or what I am currently walking through, it does not compare to what Jesus endured for me.
The suffering, the rejection, betrayal, the mocking, the cross.
Jesus willingly endured it all so that we could be forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled to the Father.
When I think about the price He paid, it puts every trial into its proper perspective.
That does not mean our pain is insignificant or that difficult seasons are easy. They are not.
It simply reminds us that we serve a Savior who understands suffering because He suffered Himself. He is not distant from our pain. He walks with us through it, and through the Holy Spirit, He strengthens us in the middle of it all.
One of the greatest lessons the Holy Spirit continues to teach me during this season is this: Trials do not exempt us from obedience.
When life becomes difficult, our assignment does not disappear.
When our bodies are weak, our calling remains.
When circumstances change, the mission of God does not.
The Holy Spirit does not stop leading simply because life becomes challenging. In fact, I have found that during the hardest seasons, His voice often becomes even more precious. He comforts us. He corrects us. He reminds us of God's promises. He gives wisdom when we need direction and strength when we have none of our own.
There are days when obedience feels effortless.
There are other days when obedience costs us something.
There are days when we feel strong and energized.
Then there are days when we simply choose to obey because the Holy Spirit said, "Keep going."
Faithfulness is not determined by how we feel.
It is revealed by whether we continue to trust and obey God regardless of how we feel.
There are certainly days when treatment takes more out of me than I would like.
There are days when I feel physically weak.
But the call of God upon my life has not changed.
The Gospel still needs to be preached.
The lost still need Jesus. People still need hope.
Believers still need encouragement.
The Church still needs to hear the truth of God's Word.
And the Holy Spirit is still drawing people to Christ.
As I continued running, I realized this is true for every believer.
You may not stand behind a pulpit, but you have been given an assignment.
Do not allow your circumstances to convince you that your assignment no longer matters. It does.
The enemy would love nothing more than for us to become distracted by our circumstances, discouraged by our challenges, or overwhelmed by our struggles.
But the Holy Spirit continually points us back to Jesus.
He reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on the One who has already overcome the world.
Recently, someone asked me if I was afraid of everything I have been walking through. The honest answer is no.
Fear never really entered my mind. It does not mean every day has been easy. It simply means I trust God.
My confidence has never been in my own strength.
It has always been in the faithfulness of God.
Every day I ask the Lord for His grace.
Every day I ask the Holy Spirit to continue leading me, strengthening me, and helping me finish well.
And every day, He has proven Himself faithful.
What has sustained me throughout this journey is the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps you are walking through a difficult season today.
Perhaps you are carrying burdens no one else can see.
Perhaps you are wondering if you have enough strength to keep going.
May I encourage you?
Do not stop listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Stay close to Jesus.
Keep running the race God has marked out for you.
The Holy Spirit knows the way forward even when you cannot see the next step. He will never lead you where the grace of God cannot sustain you.
By God's grace, I am still running the race.
Not because the journey has been easy.
Not because I have been strong.
But because Jesus has been faithful, and the Holy Spirit has sustained me every step of the way. To God be the glory!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing faithfulness. Thank You for never leaving us to walk through life's battles alone. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Strengthener, and Guide. Help us to remain sensitive to His voice and obedient to His leading, even when the road is difficult. Empower us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus; to faithfully fulfill the assignment You have given us, and to finish our race with perseverance. May our lives bring glory to You in every season. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
If you are reading this today and you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, or you have drifted away from Him, I want to encourage you to come to Him. Jesus died on the cross for your sins, rose again, and offers you new life through faith in Him. Jesus said that we must be born again. If you have never taken that step, connect with a mature believer or a Bible-teaching, Holy Spirit-filled church that will help you grow in your relationship with Christ. Get planted in God's house. Be discipled. Be baptized. Learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform your life from the inside out. There is no greater life than a life surrendered to Jesus.
Pastor Satise Roddy, MTh, ThD
Come Expecting … Leave Transformed
Satise Roddy Ministries