Running the race this year

I've never been very good at New Year's resolutions. I've never even been very good at setting goals for myself. But successful people say that goals and resolutions are an absolute necessity for success in life. I guess it is the same concept that is being expressed when people say, "if you don't have a target, you can't hit it."

I don't know if written goals are a necessity for everyone, but I think it is important that we have goals in our minds and hearts, even if we have not taken the time to write them down on paper.

Hebrews 12:1 says, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. The goal of a race is to cross the finish line and to do so in as efficient a manner as possible, hopefully crossing the finish line before anyone else has done so. In my case, it's not likely that I would be the first one to cross the finish line—but the finish line is nevertheless my goal as well as the goal of those who do cross it before I do.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

So continuing with the race metaphor, the writer of Hebrews says, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. The goal we are to remain focused on as we run this race is Jesus Christ—the first one to cross the finish line. And we are to stay focused on his example. Jesus "endured the cross, despising the shame" and is now enjoying the reward of having finished the race. And Jesus is the one who qualified each of us for this race. The passage calls Jesus "the founder and perfecter of our faith."

And the beginning of verse 1 says therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. Who are these witnesses to our race? The previous chapter identifies some of those witnesses. Chapter 10 of Hebrews has been called the biblical Hall of Faith. These are the saints of old who have crossed the finish line ahead of us. They are standing on the sidelines watching the race progress. They are cheering us on. And since we are surrounded by this great number of folks who have already finished the race, we are encouraged to run well.

This year I want to run the race this way. I know hard times will arise throughout the year. Hard times are always lurking around the corner. But the dedicated racer continues to struggle on in spite of shortness of breath, tired legs, obstacles, and other distractions. The saints of old are cheering. May I run in a way that qualifies me to stand with them someday and cheer on those who run behind me.