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We hear so much today about finding God’s divine plan for our lives. It appears that people more than ever are hungry to find out what their calling is. And many times, this searching leads to frustration, anxiety and fear. Consequently, many people settle for much less than God ever intended because they opted for the cheaper route rather than the deeper route. What do I mean by that? Simply, it takes much more effort to commit to setting a foundation whereby the Spirit of God is comfortable to flow in than it does choosing the next available path that becomes open. The truth is that God has called us to do great things in the earth, but in order to walk proficiently in those plans, we must be willing to set the foundation. 

God Is A God Of Plans And Purposes
If ever anyone knew what the plan for their life was it was Jesus. He perfectly demonstrated how to be focused on the task ahead. With great endurance, he set his sights on the prize ahead and refused to be distracted. Hebrews 12:1-3 says:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us 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 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Notice in the first verse he tells us that once we throw aside every encumbrance, unnecessary weight and the sin which readily entangles us, we can begin to focus on the race ahead. See, many people become frustrated because it seems like God has no plan for their life, when in reality, God has great things planned for them. But because of their own sin and the many self imposed and unnecessary activities that have them bogged down, they can’t see the truth. These distractions are what I like to call, Focus Thieves. If believers would begin to rid themselves of these encumbrances, and keep their minds stayed on the Word of God, they would see that their steps can be ordered by the Lord. 


A Race To Be Discovered
Another vital point in this verse teaches us that we do not choose our race, we discover it. The Amplified reads this way: 
Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and the sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. 

Notice, he said it was a set race. You don’t choose your race, you discover it. Those who choose their race are following after their own plans, but those who discover their race are following after His plans. I know this to be true in my own life. I did not want to be a preacher. I wanted to be an administrator. I told God that I would be the best church administrator I could be. I had it all planned out. I would oversee and take care of the affairs of the ministry and allow the preachers to do the preaching. When I discovered that God was calling me into the preaching ministry, I was not happy at first. See, I always thought that before you could be a great preacher, God would have to do mean things to you. And to authenticate that thought, it became obvious that every preacher who came to our church had suffered tremendously for Jesus. How do I know that? Because that’s all they ever talked about. I remember one older and very sad preacher came up to me one time and said, "Son, you haven’t been poor enough, hungry (physically) enough or sick enough to know how to be a real preacher." I thought, "See God. Administrator! Administrator!" Then God sent someone in my direction that preached something I could understand. I can’t tell you what the sermon title was or anything else he said. But when I heard that preacher say, "What Jesus did on the cross was enough suffering for both of you." I knew that was for me. I said, "Lord, you put a message in my heart. So it must be from you. So, I want you to know that I will preach anywhere or anytime you want me to. But I just ask you one thing. Make it the most enjoyable thing I will ever do in my life." Friends, there are better preachers than me. You have heard better preachers than me. But if you live to be a 103, you will never hear anyone who enjoys doing it any more than I do. And I’m telling you, if you will commit to discover your race rather than choose your race, God will change your desires. And when He does, you will discover plans and purposes so great that you will never desire anything else. 


The Victory Lap Is Not For Quitters 
Another important point in this passage is that this race must be run with patience. Patience is not putting up with. It is patiently enduring and outlasting. It is the 

capacity to hold up under pressure. It’s a "doggonetness" that says, once I get on the Word, I’m not going to get off of it. Come hell or high water, patience cultivated in the life of the believer declares, "Once I get on this Word, I’m going to allow godly character to be produced. I’m going to allow integrity and excellence to be produced." See, patience will help you obtain the promises of God. The promises of God have been made available to every believer. And those with faith will claim those promises but those with patience will obtain those promises. I’m telling you that it’s obtaining time! It’s time for you to get on that word and let all of creation know that you’re not coming off of it. 
Jesus for an example demonstrated patience when he endured all of the temptation and the stress and he demonstrated excellence in life and ministry. And after he endured, he sat down. He entered into rest. See, you rest when you have confidence in what you just did. The reason so many people lack confidence in ministry is because they have not learned endurance. And the fruit of endurance says, "I am patiently enduring and I have the capacity to out last all of the pressure and all of the stress. I’ll not turn to temptation, I’ll not turn to fear. Satan, you want some of me? I’m not going to look at you with the fear of what you can do or what trouble can do. I’m going to look at that trouble as an opportunity to cultivate." See, when stuff comes my way, it’s an opportunity to develop in character. When you develop in character, you can look at the devil and say, "Look here, you’re just another opportunity for me to develop. Now are you sure you want some of me? Because the only thing that’s going to happen is I’m going to come out better." Now, I’m not giving the credit to the trouble. I’m giving the credit to the cultivation and the Word of God that I chose to line up with. 


The fact is that every believer can experience supernatural peace regarding the plans that God has for them. The enemy would have you believe that those plans can only come through difficult and unattainable requirements. That could not be further from the truth. God has not only called you, He has provided you with every resource needed to discover that call. So, keep running that race. Champions never quit! The checkered flag is up. You’re on your way.