“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:1–3, NIV
You carefully lace up your favorite tennis shoes, making sure they are tight and snug around your feet. You grab your headphones and place them carefully in your ears. As you scan your phone, you click on your favorite playlist to pump up your energy. You begin to run, one foot in front of the other, feet hitting the pavement repeatedly. You feel your heart rate beginning to increase as time goes on, thump-thump-thump-thump. Sweat forms on your face, and your legs begin to ache. However, you do not give up. You do not stop running; instead, you push through the pain. There is only one thought on your mind—the finish line.
Time and again in the Bible, we see the Christian walk compared to running a race. Most people would agree that running is not an easy task. Even if you enjoy running, it is still a feat, requiring you to push your body to new limits and go beyond your comfort zone mentally and physically.
In life, putting one foot in front of the other can take effort and be a challenge, but relying on God can help you enjoy the process and persevere. What could running with perseverance look like in your life?