As is our custom, my wife and I volunteered as course monitors for the annual Turkey Stampede 10K race on Thanksgiving. We always enjoy helping at this event. At the front of the pack are always the elite runners competing. At the back of the pack are those simply out for the fun. To complete this race, all participants will need endurance.
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
Just like track athletes, God has given us a race to run, which is our lives under God’s purposes. And like the athlete, we must get rid of the things that hold us back and slow us down, which are habits, bad thoughts, and sins. To make sure that we are running straight toward the finish line, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, who waits for us and is encouraging us onward. Looking in any other direction will cause us to get off track. And we must run our race with endurance to fulfill all He has given us to do and be welcomed with surpassing joy at the finish.
Reluctant Retiree 