Running the Race

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Jen was almost at the end of her cross-country race, and she was exhausted. She had run over a mile along steep trails going up and down through the forest. But as she reached the top of the final hill in the final stretch of the race, she heard someone cheering on the sidelines.

“You can do it, Jen!” Jen’s dad waved at her. “You’re almost there!” Even though Jen was tired, she ran a little faster across the finish line.

“You did a great job out there,” Dad said as he handed her a bottle of water.

“I don’t think so,” Jen puffed, short of breath. “I didn’t win. I nearly got last place!”

“But you finished your first cross country race!” Dad exclaimed. “You made it to the end. I’m proud of you for persevering and not giving up, even when it was hard.”

“Thanks.” Jen smiled. “It really helped when I saw you cheering me on at the end.”

Jen and her dad sat down together on the sidelines to watch the older kids crossing the finish line.

“Did you know that the Bible says life is like a race?” Dad asked.

“If it is, I don’t think I’ll win.” Jen took another gulp of water. “I’m not very good at running.”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a good runner,” Dad said. “And it doesn’t matter how fast, strong, smart, or old you are. We win the race by persevering in trusting and following Jesus, even when life is hard. When you were tired, how did you keep going?”

Jen smiled. “I heard you cheering me on, and I remembered you were waiting for me at the finish line.”

“Well, as we run the race of life, Jesus is with us the whole time, cheering us on—and there are lots of other Christians who cheer us on and help us stay strong in our faith,” Dad said. “And when we finally cross the finish line, Jesus will be there, and we’ll see Him face-to-face. When we focus on Jesus and remember that He will be waiting for us at the end of our race, that can help us persevere.”

Jen nodded. “That’s encouraging to remember.”

“So do you think you’ll run more races?” asked Dad.

“Maybe,” said Jen. “I’d better get practicing!”

-Abby Ciona

How About You?

Do you ever want to give up when you face challenges? If you’re a Christian, Jesus gives you strength and helps you in hard times, and He provides encouragement and help through other Christians too. You can persevere by fixing your eyes on Jesus and finding strength in Him. He is with you now, and He’ll also be waiting at the finish line of life.

Today’s Key Verse: Hebrews 12:1 Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Run the race for Jesus