Several times in the Bible, our everyday life in Christ is described as a race. We're off and running in this marathon, and each sunrise presents new challenges equally nosotros bustle along. All the while, we know that God has provided the path we're supposed to take.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded past so great a cloud of witnesses, let united states besides lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let usa run with endurance the race that is set up earlier united states" ~ Hebrews 12:1

But how exactly tin can we run this race that is set before us? Thankfully, we are not running in the dark. The writer of Hebrews provides three proven ways to proceed usa on the correct track.

The Race Set Before Us

We go our start in the race of life by remembering that nosotros're not alone:

"Therefore, since nosotros are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…" (Hebrews 12:1a)

When ancient sprinters dashed off in their quest for victory and the laurel crown, they often did and then in a big loonshit filled with spectators (much similar sporting events today). Peering upwardly into the stands total of billowing clothes and moving people looked somewhat like looking up into the clouds.

And that'due south what it's like for us in our race, too. We're not the only ones to take this journey. People take run this way before, as Hebrews 11 shows (a chapter that's oft chosen the "hall of religion"). Our spiritual ancestors, such as Abraham and Noah, answered God's call and set out on the race prepare before them. Their example gives us encouragement.

Merely we don't accept to look dorsum to discover "heroes of the religion." Nosotros tin discover them today—right in the pews and chairs on any given Sunday morning. Christians are meant to make this journeying together, and nosotros're much stronger when nosotros do. Seeing the powerful examples of faithfulness around you tin requite you the backbone y'all need to charge ahead.

"For this reason I am sending to y'all Timothy, my son whom I love, who is true-blue in the Lord. He will remind y'all of my manner of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church." (ane Corinthians four:17)

Sometimes, however, other problems can continue the states from running our race, even when the crowd is cheering us on.

Throwing off the Sin that Entangles Us

Photograph credit: Crosscards.com

If we're to keep chugging along on the correct path, we can't practise so if we're constantly tripping upwardly. The writer of Hebrews describes it this way:

"… permit us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and permit us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1b)

In the sporting events of the ancient world, competitors usually ran in a much more than "natural" way than athletes do today. Long before the days of special sprinting attire, the clothes of the fourth dimension either had to exist tied up away from the legs or taken off before running. Otherwise, the runner would get tangled up and fall on his face up.

Our Christian race isn't much different. We can't run very well if we're bound up in the snares of sinful living. Those things that seem so satisfying in the moment can accept our optics off the prize (as we'll run across), and instead, keep us fixated on temporary thrills. But nosotros're chosen to a much better path:

"For if you live co-ordinate to the sinful nature, yous will die; but if by the Spirit you put to expiry the misdeeds of the body, you lot will live" (Romans 8:13)

Life works best when nosotros follow God'southward Word and obey His commands in the Bible. He didn't give united states of america those commands to trap us, but to costless us to run our race with endurance. When we do and then, our truthful goal comes into view.

Wait to Jesus for Endurance and Strength

While we may glance at the crowd of witnesses around us and nosotros may throw off the things that tangle u.s. up, our ultimate encouragement is in the prize that awaits those of united states of america who live by faith:

"Let usa set our eyes on Jesus, the writer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right manus of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:ii)

At the beginning of the race, Jesus may seem far away in the distance. We know of Him through the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We've heard how He has changed other lives. Merely our race is nevertheless new.

Before long, nonetheless, we realize that the prize awaiting us is the Savior of our souls, and He'south not content to simply sit and sentry us from the stop line. He's busy working on us equally we run the race:

"I desire to know Christ and the ability of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to reach to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10–eleven)

Equally we run and keep our eyes on Jesus, God works on us, making u.s.a. more and more like His Son. Ultimately, He will bring u.s.a. to our long-awaited advantage:

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

Run the race that is set up before y'all. But run information technology with the hope that God wants y'all to have in Christ.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Jonathan Chng