“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12: 1-2
I have a very competitive family! Growing up, my siblings and I would turn everything into a competition; whether it was a game, cleaning the house, or doing yard-work. It didn’t matter what it was, we were competing against each other to be the best or the fastest.
Last year when all the gyms were closed due to COVID, we challenged each other to a month long running/walking challenge to motivate each other to stay active. We took the month of June and the goal was to see who could run or walk the most amount of miles in that month. It ended up being a lot of fun and a great way to motivate each other to go out and exercise!
Some people really enjoy running, some people cringe at the thought of running… I fall somewhere in the middle of those two. There is something great about getting outside, putting on some music, and just running. There are always parts of a run when I don’t think I can do anymore or I just want to give up. I keep going knowing I just have to get to this point and I’ll be done and I focus on that ending. I am not a great runner or very fast at all, but the best part for me is finishing a run. Realizing I kept going even when it was hot or it had been a long day, or I felt like stopping, I pressed on.
Hebrews 12: 1-2 compares running to our spiritual life here on earth.
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
As we live out our lives seeking to follow Christ, we will get tired and weary. There will be times when we become stressed and overwhelmed, and that is why this verse in Hebrews is such an important reminder for us. When we face difficulties and obstacles, we are encouraged to press on and run with perseverance.
I love that the verse goes on to say we are only able to run with perseverance if we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He’s the only one who can sustain us and give us the strength we need to continue on.
So how is your race going? Are you fixing your eyes on Jesus? Have you allowed the stresses in life to overwhelm you? If so, forget what is behind and press on towards the goal that Christ has called you to.