Every athlete embarks on a race at a different pace. Some walk, some jog, some run, and some sprint. What is your pace of choice? As for me, I prefer walking or jogging. While there are many options for how we run races we sign up for, there is one race we must not walk at a slow pace or even jog: the race of faith. In light of the race of faith that we followers of Christ are all participating in, we must run. We must run as fast and as deliberately as we can. After all, the things of God and His kingdom are eternal. Things of this earth will pass away, but the things of God and His kingdom will last forever.
The writer of Hebrews urges us to run the race of faith well in Hebrews 12. After naming people we read about in the Old Testament who demonstrated great faith and ran their race of faith well, he wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (verse 1). In other words, we must run this race of faith that God has called us to run well and as fast as we can, without giving up. We must take this race of faith that God has called us to run seriously, following the examples in Scripture of people who demonstrated great faith and ran their races well.
Part of running our races of faith well means putting forth great effort on our parts so that we will stand before God one day knowing that we sought to honor Him and make Him known with everything we said and did with our lives. Paul gives us a picture of what it looks like to put forth an effort as we run our races of faith in Colossians 3. He wrote, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (verse 23). Indeed, we are working and living for the Lord. As a result, we should strive to honor Him every day by running our races with excellence and endurance, refusing to stop or even slow down.
What about you? At what pace are you running your race of faith? Are you walking, running, or sprinting? I urge you, friend, to run your race well. Run with endurance, as fast as you can, and with excellence. Commit to know Christ and make Him known with every step you take. Remember, life is short. There is no time to waste as we run our races. We must make the most of every second we are given.
Memorize Colossians 3:23 today. Bring this verse to mind often. As you regularly reflect on this verse, focus on taking the race of faith that you are called to run seriously, seeking to honor God with everything you say and do.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers,[c] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
