Notes of Faith November 9, 2025
The Race Marked Out for Us
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. — Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV
A few weeks after we buried our son River, I noticed a middle-aged dad with his toddler on his shoulders, laughing and carefree. Suddenly, I was mad and envious. Why did he still have his little boy when we didn’t? Grief does that to you. It makes you wrestle with the unfairness of it all — why others get to keep what you’ve lost, why their life seems so much easier and yours looks like a dumpster fire.
Proverbs 14:30 reminds us,
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
In that moment, I was only seeing what I lacked, and that comparison stole my peace. I wasn’t able to fully enjoy my two beautiful, healthy children because my heart was consumed with what had been taken from me.
The Christian life is often compared to a race. We are told in Hebrews to
run with endurance the race that is set before us. — 12:1
I’ve never been one who enjoys running. I was that girl in middle school who faked cramps to get out of running in gym class. It’s exhausting and painful — just like life sometimes. And maybe that’s why it’s such a fitting analogy for our faith. Running the race isn’t easy. It takes discipline, focus, perseverance, and, most of all, trust.
But we aren’t running aimlessly. And we aren’t running for prizes and trophies that will tarnish and fade.
We run for an eternal crown, for a reward that will never perish.
Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 9:24,
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
This race we’re running has eternal significance. From the day we are born, we are set on a path toward eternity. We will spend it either in fellowship with Jesus or separated from Him. The stakes are high. How are you running? Are your eyes on your lane or someone else’s? Are you even running at all? Or are you just coasting through life?
In His wisdom, God has set a unique race before each of us. He has equipped us with specific giftings, challenges, blessings, and, yes, even sufferings. But He hasn’t left us to figure it out on our own. He’s given us tools — His Word, His Spirit, His people — to run this race well. Will we follow His blueprint, or will we try to run our own race, our own way, comparing hardships on the journey?
Running a race takes endurance. But how do we keep running when life gets hard, when the race seems too long or too painful, when we feel like we can’t take another step?
First, we prepare, just as athletes train with discipline and consistency. I knew the battle I would face each day. I knew the Enemy would attack my mind, so I prepared by spending time with the Lord before I stepped out into the world. I prayed and read my Bible, asking God to guard my heart and thoughts and help me to keep my eyes on Him.
Second, we remember that we are not running alone. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Our ancestors in the faith have run this race before us, and their stories encourage us to keep going when life gets hard. We also have the testimonies of so many around us encouraging us that we, too, can cross the finish line.
Third, we realize that preparation isn’t always easy. Just like any kind of training, it can be painful. Our muscles ache, our lungs burn. But just as physical pain can drive us to grow stronger in training, the pain we endure in life can drive us closer to Christ.
Lastly, we fix our eyes on Christ. Hebrews 12:2 continues,
…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.
When we focus on Jesus, we remember that God has a purpose for our race, even in the darkest valleys, and He walks with us every step of the way.
The Lord has been ministering to me through Psalm 23 and its reminder that He is our Good Shepherd. God, in His kindness, leads us in righteousness, and also through the valley of the shadow of death. Both are paths marked out by God, and because He is good, both are good, though they may not feel good at the time.
Jesus didn't have an easy path, but we can look to Him because He tells us in His word, "in this world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” Just as the apostle Paul, we cry out to God in our distress. We pray for strength to persevere, and we do not lose heart. We press on until we hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Those are words I long to hear when I cross the finish line of the Christian life. Even when I must crawl, even if I am knocked down again and again, I am determined to fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish my race. Are you with me?
Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on my own race, not comparing it to others and ultimately to keep my eyes fixed on You. Give me strength and endurance when I am weak. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.
Written by Amber Emily Smith, author of The Girl on the Bathroom Floor, copyright Amber Emily Smith.
I used to run…early in the mornings, all by myself…and enjoyed it. Life can be hard, very hard, and running the race sometimes seems miserable. But the finish line is coming and the reward is great…eternal life, a perfect sin-free, physical maladies gone, joyful spirit filled days in glory with God! I beg you to join me in the race to glorify God and be filled with hope that is sure in the love of God toward you and me!
Pastor Dale
