Fresh Start After FailureSample

Finish the Race

Life is a race. In our race, we face various obstacles and temptations which cause us to want to quit. The goal of this race is to endure to the end and to do so with our faith and character intact. We will cross the finish line of life by refusing to quit and keeping our focus on Jesus.

Others have gone before us and have successfully run their races. In this passage, we see runners who have already finished their race come back and stand on the side of the track to cheer for those runners still in the race. These men and women of faith who have gone before us compel us to keep pushing forward, to keep pressing, and to endure until the end.

Our forerunners encourage and teach us to finish our race well. These champions inspire us to avoid the snares of sin—which can lead us off track and sideline our race of life. We can learn not only from their successes, but also from their failures.

One final thing we can learn from those who have gone before us is the importance of focus. Our focus must always be on Jesus. He ran the perfect race. He will help us finish the race we have started when we run with our focus solely on Him.

● What is God saying to me?

● What does it mean to me?

● How can I apply what God is teaching me?

● How can I be specific in prayer today?