The Race of Life

“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1)

Slow and steady wins the race.

What race?

The race of life.

I didn’t know there was a race!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Just because life is referred to as a race doesn’t mean we have to try to get through life as fast as possible. Nor does it mean we are racing to gather things. It is not “He who dies with the most toys wins” although many times we act like it is. The latest car, the latest phone, the latest this or that rather than a life of quiet content.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 )

Life around us is filled with people who are running a good race but the goal is not just to run a good race for a day here and there. What then is the goal?

To FINISH WELL.

For that we need endurance, and a focus on the correct goal. Pursuit of Christ so that we look like Him more today more than yesterday. We should seek the approving look of Christ on our lives as we go through the marathon of life.

That is exactly what life is: a marathon, not a sprint.

Be in Christ for the long haul.

Set your eyes on eternity – that horizon will define how you see everything that comes into your daily view.

The writer of Hebrews also talks of setting aside “…every weight, and sin which clings so closely…” Are you running today with unnecessary weight from sin, anxiety, worry, or other matters that need to be confessed, or cares that need to be taken off and given to Christ to handle?