“I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (MSG)
With all that has been going on of late, you may have been knocked to your knees with the cares of life’s problems, but you can stay in the race and continue to fight. Never give up. You may be knocked down, but not knocked out. It was John Wooden who said, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” When you feel like giving up, be reminded that God loves you and wants you to live life to the fullest! God’s plan is to prosper you and not to harm you. If you’re struggling in life, don’t give up – there are better things yet to come in your life.
Seasoned long distance runners have learned to focus on endurance, not just speed, but winning will cost you some things, criticism, and sacrifice, so what is the key to staying in the race and never giving up? Hebrews 12:1b-3 (MSG) says, “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!”
Be encouraged. You will only endure the heat and finish when you have something to look forward to. Success comes only when you are committed and have the passion and determination to reach the finish line, so set your focus on the goal. Run to win and you will!