Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT): “...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

Paul likens our life of faith to an endurance race.  It’s not a quick sprint; it’s a long, carefully paced journey through terrain that is not always the same.  In fact its unpredictability challenges a range of skills.  If an endurance runner is carrying any extra, unnecessary paraphernalia while he is running, it begins to weigh him down, gets in the way and trips him up.  Just the same, as we run our course, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, our champion, and our hearts open and obedient to the Holy Spirit, our trainer; we will find ourselves free of any extra baggage that would weigh us down, or trip us up along the way.  We endure by building our faith as we spend time in the Word of God.  It’s time to run your race of faith with endurance, as you keep your mind focused on the truth and your heart engaged in His love, nothing will hold you back, nor trip you up from finishing with dignity and joy!