Hebrews 12:1-3
New International Version
12 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 perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I never was really good at track and field when I was in school but I remember competing in several races. I tried them all from short distance to long distance. In the short distance races, I never was quick enough and so would end up finishing last and for the long distance races I never had the endurance to keep up with the others and I would eventually run out of gas and end up in last place once again. But there was one race that I actually won first place medal for. It was for the relay race. I remember I was the second guy to run. The first guy started us off and quickly built a huge lead and when he passed the baton to me, I ran as fast as I could with everything I had and it was just enough distance that just when I was starting to feel gassed, it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have the energy anymore to win the race because by that time, all I had to do was hand off the baton to the runner who had the fresh legs and he finished the race for me. We won that day and I’ll never forget what an accomplishment it felt to actually win something. Today, I met with the Lord and as I was praying, I reminded Him of all my shortcomings and my failures, my failed races, and I apologized for all those times I had burned out in the past. Well, the Lord is compassionate and He reminded me of my track and field days and He reminded me of this verse in Hebrews about how we are in a race and we are to persevere in running the race. But He pointed out the one thing that I had failed to see before and I have looked at this verse many times, believe me. You see, I have always known that it’s not up to us to persevere, God will do it right? But there was one thing I failed to notice before. This race is not an individual race. Let me repeat that, THIS RACE IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL ONE, ITS A RELAY!!!! For He says, “ Let US RUN”, God didn’t say I want you to run, He is talking to US THE CHURCH. If you have been trying to run this race by yourself and you keep stumbling over hurdles perhaps it’s because you have failed to see that you are not in this race alone. Perhaps, it’s time to give up the baton to our brother and sister in Christ and let them continue the race for us and then as we rest in Christ, we will be ready and refreshed to take the baton back from them when they are fatigued, so we can continue to be on pace. Guys, Christianity is not an individual sport, we need each other. Are we actively pursuing Godly relationships? Are we just doing online church? When’s the last time you had a cup of coffee with another believer and just talked and prayed with each other? When we isolate, we put ourselves in a position to be defeated. Let’s remember this truth, we are not alone. We have God with us, we have the community of believers, “the cloud of witnesses”, those who have gone before us that we can learn from and those who are in the race that we can lean on when we are tired. If we run the race as a relay with God as our coach, we will persevere! Do you hear them? It’s the chants from the saints of old cheering us on, “WIN church, WIN!”