RUN!!!

Heavenly Father,

We come before You grateful for the race You’ve called us to run. Strengthen our steps, steady our hearts, and fix our eyes on Jesus. Remove every weight and sin that slows us down. May we run not for earthly applause but for Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

"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 endurance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."— Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."— 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 (NIV)

The Christian life is not a stroll; it is a race. Not a sprint, but a marathon. To run means to move forward with intentionality, energy, and direction. Just as runners shed every unnecessary weight before stepping on the track, we too are called to lay aside sins, distractions, and fears that keep us from moving toward God’s purpose.

When we run in life, the temptation is to compare our lane with someone else’s. But the race “marked out for us” is unique to each believer. God has designed a course just for you—one that includes your gifts, your struggles, your story, and your victories.

Running also requires endurance. There will be moments when the road feels long, when the hill is steep, and when quitting feels easier. Yet, we press on because we are not running aimlessly. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus, who not only ran His race perfectly but also crossed the finish line with victory over sin and death.

The good news is: you don’t run alone. A cloud of witnesses—those who have gone before us—cheer you on. Brothers and sisters in Christ run alongside you. And the Spirit of God gives you breath for every step.

In the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Team USA showed remarkable endurance, speed, and heart—demonstrating what it looks like to run well. A highlight: 

In the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Team USA showed remarkable endurance, speed, and heart—demonstrating what it looks like to run well. A highlight: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone - an American hurdler and sprinter who holds the world record for the 400 meters hurdles and the American record for the flat 400 meters.

Sydney's performance is a powerful picture: she like many athletes of her caliber threw off hindrances, they ran amid pressure, and they kept going. They ran with perseverance, focus, and courage. And because of that, their races tell inspiring stories—both on the track and in faith.

Just like Mrs. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, we too are often called to run—through challenges, through seasons of waiting, through opposition. We may not always know how or when the race will end, but God has laid out a course for each of us. Sometimes we face setbacks (like disqualifications, injuries, disappointments), yet in those moments we can choose to press on, lean on God’s strength, and trust that He is working.

Running well means:

Removing what slows us down (sins, fears, distractions).

Staying focused on the course God has for us, without comparing excessively with others.

Drawing strength from God, from those who’ve gone before us, and from our community.

Application Steps

1. what’s weighing you down. What attitudes, habits, or sins are hindering your progress? Confess them and lay them aside.

2. Set your eyes on Jesus. When you feel weary, remind yourself of His faithfulness, His sacrifice, His call.

3. Celebrate the victories—big and small. Just as we applaud the U.S. athletes, praise God for every step forward, every hardship borne, every moment of obedience.

4. Encourage and run alongside others. Your journey can strengthen someone else; likewise, being encouraged by others strengthens you.

Father,

thank You for the examples You provide—on the track, in Scripture, and in our lives—of what it means to run with faith. Grant us endurance when the path is steep, courage when doubt looms, and humility in every victory. Help us run with purpose, run with perseverance, and run toward You. May our lives testify that the race was not in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.