In a little while, the winter Olympics will be in full swing. Athletes from all over the world will compete against each other. Their talents will be on display for all the world to marvel at. Their goals are not ambiguous, and their hearts and endurance will be tested.
The author of Hebrews in chapter 12 verse 1 compares our lives to a race marked out before us. Like the athlete, our hearts and talents will be tested. In v.2 he gives us the goal of our race; “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” When Christ is our goal there are no silver or bronze medals. There are no losers. The apostle Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” When we fix our eyes on Jesus we have nothing to fear because to run the race is to love and serve him and to die is to live eternity with Him.
The passing of time diminishes the talents and endurance of the athletes, at some point they will no longer be able to compete. But, to the believer the author says in v.3; “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Christ endured the pain of the cross so we didn’t have to, when we keep fixed on Him and what he already has accomplished, we will not lose heart. We can run this race and endure because of what Christ has already done. It’s nothing in and of ourselves that we should boast, but all because of Jesus.
In Christ, we run with Him,
In Christ, we run for Him.