There are a handful of scriptures in the Bible that talk about running the race or seeking to receive the prize. One of those verses is found in Hebrews 12:1-2 where it says: “…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
These verses are metaphors for the Christian life, as we are all in a race to the finish line. But this race is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and maybe even an ultra-marathon. Which means we have to pace ourselves. It’s like the old children’s story of the tortoise and the hare: slow and steady wins the race. And that’s because it’s not about how fast we finish or what place we take. Finishing is the win!
Life is challenging and, as we seek to live our lives for the Lord, we are going to face challenges. At times we will find ourselves tired and weak. And we may even feel like giving up. It’s in these times, though, that we need to run with perseverance. It’s in these times that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus is the prize and He wants to see us finish. And, the truth is, He’s the only one who can sustain us and give us the strength we need to press on and finish.
How are we doing in the race? Are we tired and weak? Are we feeling like giving up? Wherever we’re at in this race and whether we feel like were succeeding or failing, we need to make sure we keep our eyes on Jesus, because He is our strength. He is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. So let’s continue to run with perseverance and look forward to the finish.
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