"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:1)
The heart of the Christian life is faith. We begin by trusting Christ for our justification, but we continue on by faith. The author of Hebrews knew this and laid out a case for modern believers to walk like the saints of old (Heb. 11). Then, because they lived by faith, so must we, so he likened this life to a race—"run with endurance the race that is set before us."
It Is Your Race
Let us, he said. This means you must run your race, and I must run mine. Each one of God's saints has their own race to run. But this lesson often takes years to learn. The way of all flesh is to compare and contrast. And, though we can learn much from one another, we all have our own journey the Father has designed for us. We must run according to his plans. He has a plan for you. It is your race.
It Is a Paced Race
Since endurance is required, a proper pace is also necessary. In a long-distance race, every runner has trained for a specific pace. You cannot look at another racer and attempt to mimic them. You have to run your race. And in Christ, we not only have to run at the right pace but the right course. Each of us has our own custom course from our Lord, and we must pace ourselves well by having boundaries, keeping Sabbaths, and protecting margin in our lives. It is a paced race.
It Is a Long Race
The fact that our race must be run with endurance indicates that it is a long one. It is not a race that is completed quickly, early on in life. None of us knows precisely how long our race will last, but it is not uncommon for it to last eighty or ninety years. Whatever your twenties looked like (or will look like), your race probably won't end there. So whether you ran well or floundered at that time, there is still more race to run. It is a long race.
It Is an Appointed Race
We must run the race that has been set before us. The idea is that someone else has created our race course for us. The Father foreknew you from before the foundation of the world and created a course designed for you. And then he appointed it to you. He set it before you. Will you run it? Will you spend your life saying yes to the turns and twists in the course he has established for you? You should. It is an appointed race.
It Is One Race
We must run the race set before us. Singular. Not a group of races, but one race. Life presents us with this one opportunity, and by the power and grace of Jesus, we must take it. Seize the days. There is no other race. It is one race.
It Is a Race
And in all this, we must remember that it is a race. There is an imperishable crown at the end of this race. There are the words "well done, my good and faithful servant" at the end. There is a time of rest and celebration coming. But it is a race. It requires discipline, endurance, patience, and strength. And, one day, the one who crossed Calvary's finish line two thousand years ago will stand and welcome us as we cross ours.