Running The Race Of Your Life

Today, I preached the Gospel of Grace from Hebrews 12:1-3 with a focus on the phrase, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  The obvious metaphor is that of an endurance race.  In my preparation, I gathered the stories of two families I am close to who each faced a race of faith that was at one point similar, but became very different.  They both involved Down syndrome.

This past Thursday morning, I came across a post on TheGospelCoalition.Org site that pointed me to the ESPN story on the White family.  Though I did not use the entire video in the sermon, it is so moving and connects so well with what I hoped to say, that I want to make it easily available for you.  I’ve included some other resources as well.

Expect to take about 20 minutes to view and reflect on the video.  It is more than worth the time.  Additional resources follow.

“What if I made a different decision than Heath and Jennifer, and instead chose an abortion?”  If that is your question, I want to say that I recognize every person makes decisions with their own circumstances, convictions and resources at the time that they must act.  If you made a different decision than the White’s and have no regrets, then know that I have no stones to throw.  But if you struggle with regret, know that God’s grace and His decision to give His life for us at the cross, is big enough to overcome any mistake, regret or decision that I wish I could go back and change.  I know that, because it has been a part of my life with regard to my own regrets.  Click Here to email me.  We can find a setting to talk about it together.

Questions For Reflection

• How had perfection become an idol in Heath’s heart through the course of his early years?
• Heath was forced into avoiding an abortion by his wife.  Later, he experienced a change of heart.  Only then could he see his previous convictions for what they were and begin to be the husband and father that we see at the end of the film.  Why is it important to focus on Heath’s need for a change of heart, rather than just preventing an abortion?
• Heath’s wife Jennifer had to face a significant fear in order to stand up for the unborn life of her daughter Paisley.  What was it?  What do you fear to stand up and face in the faith challenges of your own life right now?  What fears do people in your life have to face – like Jennifer did - as a result of unresolved idols of your own heart – as in Heath’s?
• The Gospel confronts us with a different way to live than most of us are inclined towards.  Instead of attempting to attain perfection – or at least acceptance - through our own performance and effort, Jesus calls us to receive the perfection of His performance as our own before God.  We become “the righteousness of God in Christ.” (II Corinthians 5:21)  Prayerfully ask God to make you aware of two areas in your own life and relationships where you are trusting more in your own effort to do good, than in His gift of grace.  Those are points of repentance, or bringing the Gospel to bear on your need to change.
• How might life have been different for Heath, if they had aborted Paisley?  For Jennifer?  How would the Gospel of Grace deal with that?  Do you, or someone you know, need to face past regrets?  How will you bring the Gospel of Grace to those issues?

Click Here for link to the sermon.

Additional Resources on Down Syndrome

No Time For Losers – We Are the Champions of the World by Wendy Billiot – BayouWoman.com
This is the story of the birth and high school graduation of Jeremiah Billiot that I referred to in the sermon.  Thanks Russell and Wendy for your life and love.

Thank You, ESPN by Justin Taylor – TheGospelCoalition.Org
This is the blog post that connected me to the story of Paisley White

Paisley White and the Invigorating Culture-Shift on Abortion by Owen Strachen

Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing, and Abortion–It’s Complicated by
Keep in mind the statistic that 85% of women with a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose abortion. (Read this so that you cite the stat correctly, not the way it’s often reported.)

The Children We Need Most Are the Ones We Don’t Want by Owen Strachen
 
Camera Can’t Capture the Inner Realities by Beverley Beckham
From the Boston Globe