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We are all running a race called life. It is unique before you and has its joys and struggles along the path. So how do you run this race with endurance and finish well? As we jump back into the book of Hebrews, we see the primary pioneer and perfector of our faith running the race and empowering us to run as well. So let's look to Jesus, who has run his race and now running with us on our own.

Does your faith mark your life? Faith is not wishful thinking, but an assured conviction of things hoped for but not yet seen. Faith is the fundamental way we approach God and walk with God. This is because faith and trust are the bases of any good relationship. So let's walk by faith and not by sight until our faith becomes our sight.

We are experts in creating rituals, checklists, and rules to make sure we are "ok" with God. Yet, as we live under those old systems, we are only left exhausted and reminded that we are not perfect and still in our sins. When Jesus came, something utterly different was offered. He has ushered in a new relationship as he sits supreme and invites us into an intimate relationship with him.

Where do you feel the most 'at home'? Where is that? What does that feel like? The Hebrews had a word for this, "Shalom." This word meant "the way it should be." The Hebrews felt most at home in the Temple of God. It was here that they were reminded of God's provision as they walked in God's presence. These were hints of heaven and shadows of something greater to come. In Christ, we do not just get the shadow, we get the full substance of the way it should be. This creates in us a longing now as we anticipate what is to come.

When something new has come, the old becomes obsolete. The people of God were a part of an old system of how they viewed themselves, the world, and how they related to God. But something new has come in Christ. A new way of seeing God, yourself, and others. Sadly, we can drift back to our old ways before Christ. But something new has come. A new promise, a new system, a new covenant between God and man. When the new comes, the old becomes obsolete.

Before we jump back into Hebrews, let's remember the heartbeat of Hebrews: don't drift away; draw near because Jesus is better. It can be easy to begin to drift, but drifting always leads to destruction in our lives. The pastor of Hebrews calls us to draw near to who Jesus is and what he has done because Jesus is simply better. When we focus on these two realities, who he is and what he has done, the only proper response to know and follow him with our lives. Welcome back to Hebrews. We are only halfway!