Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV)
Anyone can enter a race, but not everyone can make it to the finish line. Half way through, we become weary and discouraged when we look at how long we still have to go. But the Scriptures continually exhort us to keep running because God’s not done with us yet. Jesus is the perfect example of what it means to finish strong, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” And it is on Jesus we need to fix our eyes in order to keep running the race marked out for us. It’s okay if we stumble and fall – because eventually we will – but with His help we can pick ourselves up again and run until we reach the end. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” Paul encouraged Timothy (2 Timothy 4:7). Let’s finish strong too!
Rising with the Son 