“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 – 25 (MSG)
We are already in the third month of 2022. How are you doing with the goals that you set for this year? Seasoned long distance runners have learned to focus on endurance, not just speed. Winning is going to cost you something: pressure, criticism, loneliness, and sacrifice. Do you still want to keep going? What is the secret to the staying power that will get you to the finish line? Hebrews 12:1-3 in The Message bible reads, “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Here we are told that Jesus finished the race because He never lost sight of the goal. He would put up with anything. You will only endure the pain, criticism, and loneliness when you have something to look forward to. Success comes only when you are committed, when you’re all in, and have a passion to cross the finish line. The question that you will need to ask yourself when the pressure is on is, “Will you stay in the race, keep your focus on the goal, and run to win?” YOU WILL CROSS THE FINISH LINE.