Have you ever noticed that there is no prize for starting, the only reward is for the one that finishes the race (1 Cor 9:24)? At the end of his life for Christ Paul could say: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7; KJV) and he eagerly looked forward to his heavenly reward.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2; KJV). Paul paints a picture for us of the heavenly hosts cheering us on. As we look back at all the amazing men and women of God who have gone before us, we should be encouraged to focus on Jesus and put aside all the distractions and sins to serve him on this earth.

We need the same heavenly focus that Jesus had and need to know that we don’t run in our own strength but his (Phil 2:13; Phil 4:13). Paul exhorted us to press on, lay hold of all God has for us and be disciplined (Phil 3:12-14; 1 Cor 9:25). We are God’s salt and lights in this world (Matt 5:13-14), he so wants to work through us, to bless us in our earthly journey (Eph 3:20) and to bring us to that eternal reward in heaven. Let's cooperate and press in; the rewards are great and the journey amazing.

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