“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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…”

We are in a contest and in the contest the winner receives a prize. We are not competing against other runners but against ourselves. We don’t have to outrun anyone; we just have to finish the race. Often we fall into the trap of comparing our race with someone else’s. We worry about who is doing more and sinning less as if that was the key to victory. Our competition is the weight and sin we struggle with. Our engagement in the world slows us down and can if we allow it cause us to quit running.

We have a fabulous cheering squad. All those who have finished the race and received the crown of victory are rooting for us to finish as well. Because of what our high priest, Jesus, has done, nothing can defeat us. As Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” We must keep our eyes on the finish line; we must concentrate on the goal.

Task for Today: Open your ears of faith today and listen to the crowd in the heavenly stands. That roar of approval is for you. Those shouts of ‘keep running’ are directed to you. The figure at the end of the race with open arms is Jesus. Listen to Him, calling you home. Run today. Run for all you’re worth and forget the things that entangle you. Separate your race from the rat race and run, Christian, run.