Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
To run a physical race you have to undergo a lot of training and preparation. Take Usain Bolt for example he is the fastest man in the world, yet this did not just come through by sitting back and relax, but through hard work, determination, perservance and most of all intense preparation in the mind, body and soul.
W1hen it comes to the spiritual race we have to make some commitment , put our all in, we have to grit our teeth , keep our feet grounded and say like the song writer "I shall not be move , just like a tree planted by the waters I shall not be moved". Take Job, he was a spiritual man and a righteous one, he lost everything that he has, but he never give in to the temptation, but rather his faith grow stronger in God, His faith was in tack.
We are indeed in a race and we have a lot of witness who have gone on before us and they have pave the way for us therefore let us keep our eyes on the prize that is set before. The reward for crossing the finish line in a 100m race is a gold medal. The reward for crossing the finish line in this race is eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
For us Jesus ran the perfect race. He ran to the cross to die for our sins and the He rose from the grave on the third and gone to be with his father making preparation us. He sent His Holy Spirit to empower us to run this race, so let us do it with patience looking on to Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.