The Christian life is compared to a race in several places in Scripture. Paul uses this imagery in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." Another example is found in Galatians 5:7, "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Furthermore, in Hebrews 12:1-2 there are three essential steps in the Christian race.

First, get real. Hebrews 12:1a reads, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses..." To "get real" is "To realize or accept the truth; to be realistic or practical. Often used as an imperative." The word translated "therefore" calls our attention to the previous chapter. Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the faith chapter of the Bible for good reason. Faith occurs twenty-four times in Hebrews 11. This chapter highlights the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses to name a few. Hebrews 11:1-2 reads, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony." Hebrews 11:6 reads, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Second, get right. Hebrews 12:1b reads, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us..." Matthew Henry calls, "weights" "inordinate affections." These are distractions that are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, but they hinder us from being our best. It is also important to repent of our sins by confessing and forsaking them as well.

Third, get running. Hebrews 12:1c-2 reads, "and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Someone said, "The Christian life is not a sprint; it is a marathon." We need discipline to go the distance. Here's how to run this marathon. Keep your feet in your lane. You must run "the race that is set before (you)." You are not in competition with others, you are running for the glory of God. Keep your eyes on your Lord. You must run "looking unto Jesus." As Morris H. Chapman said, "Run for the Finisher!"

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.