Mark Cahill

When it comes to following Jesus, we don't want to just show up to the race of faith, we want to run the race and cross the finish line with shouts of victory.

If we are going to run, then we need to know what kind of race it is, where the boundaries are, and what are the rules for competing. The race of faith is a marathon, not a sprint. Marathons are long, challenging, and strenuous. They tax your body, strain your muscles, create great thirst, and require replenishment along the way. And, of course, encouragement from other runners always helps. But regardless of who runs with us, we are the ones who need the inner conviction and assurance that we will make it to the finish line victoriously.

In this race set before us, we need to stay on course and finish well by remaining faithful (2 Timothy 4:7) and carrying out the Lord's commands. We need to let go of the sin that weighs us down and hinders our focus, speed, and endurance (Hebrews 12:1). We run this race with our focus on Christ, who ran the perfect race and is the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the One who will give us the energy to endure (1 Peter 2:12).

This race will take us to our very last breath, so we need the strength that only the Lord can give. Commit to Jesus by holding the cross dear, spending time in God's Word daily, praying and following through on what pleases Him in every way.

"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," Hebrews 12:1.

Every day is a good day to start fresh. The mercies of God are new each morning. But the new year is a time to reflect on our walk and resolve to live for Christ. We want to start off the year right. Develop and keep good, godly habits. Make it your aim to please Christ in all things.

Hebrews 13:20-21, "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."