There was one scene at the recent Olympic Games that captured the world’s attention. Two athletes, one a New Zealander and the other an American, fell in the 5000 meter race. They helped each other up, and although the American girl was injured, they both finished the race in the last two places. That is perseverance! In Hebrews 12:1 it says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
The Word of God likens the Christian life to a race – not a short sprint, but a marathon. You may have times when you fall, but don’t allow discouragement or disappointment to keep you down. Get up again! The Lord is with you. As those two girls in the 5000 meter race rose up and continued to the finish line, the crowd cheered.
We too are surrounded by a ‘cloud of witnesses’ who are in the grandstands of Heaven, cheering us on. Their voices ring out, “Keep going, don’t give up. It is worthwhile.” Hebrews 10:36 tells us, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised.”
