Earlier this week I found myself thinking a lot about running.  I’m not talking about running a race on a physical track but running the spiritual race God has laid out for my life.  Our life and the race we are running have a direct impact on the people in and around our lives and the community where we live.  This thought brought me to a new place of humility and dependence on Christ.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I try to run “my race” and not His race.   I was reading Hebrews 12:1-2 and came away with 4 keys to help us run the race God has for our lives.   

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)

4 Keys to Wining the Race

1. Recognize that we have Home Field Advantage.

We are not in the race alone we have friends and allies of the faith on the sidelines cheering us on and praying for us.   Can you picture yourself running with a massive crowd on your left and right cheering you on in the good times and the difficult times? You’re not alone!

2. Strip off the weights.

I used to run the 400×400 relay in high school.  I ran the second leg and you always want to run light. Even today, the clothing material for running is always getting lighter and lighter to give the runner that extra edge.  The author of the text tells us to strip off every weight of sin.  So we must rid ourselves of sins that weigh us down.  We know what they are so let’s repent and not pick them up again.

3. Run with endurance.

Endurance is defined as: The act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress (like a marathon race).   In order to master the time goal for running the 400×400 relay, I had to train with pain and build up my endurance.

4. Stay focused.

A focused runner is one who wins the race because they’re never distracted by what’s around them.  Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, which tells us we cannot lose if our focus is on Him, in the midst of whatever we go through.

I love the message translation of Hebrews 12:1-3.

1-3Do 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!

You are amazing, loved, and valued by God.  You will finish the race and your life will impact many people for the Kingdom of God. Never give up!  You may fall and get scraped up, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!  Let’s encourage one another to finish the race because many souls hang in the balance!