When Life Feels Like a Marathon and You Want to Quit
Running a marathon is a pretty good description of how we make our way through life. The writer of Hebrews understood this too, using athletic metaphors that were very familiar to early Christians, and helping us to answer the questions: “How do we deal with difficulties and disasters as we pursue the dream that God has given us. How do we push past the agony of defeat and handle the human drama?”
You're Not Running Alone
The passage begins in Hebrews 12:1 with these encouraging words: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…" Throughout life, but especially when we deal with difficulties, it is helpful to remember that many others have gone before us and run alongside us. We can take encouragement from others. There's the roar of the crowd to get us going but there's also others in the race with us who encourage us, challenge us and spur us on down the road.
Paul echoes this in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."
We race for a prize, but it's a different kind of race. There's no single winner; we all receive the prize when we reach the end of the race. We are all in this together and we should draw strength and encouragement from one another.
Drop the Baggage That's Slowing You Down
Hebrews 12:1 continues: "…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up." How hard would it be to run a marathon while dragging a fully loaded suitcase? Get rid of the baggage! The key here is we need to remove distractions.
What are distractions that keep us from pursuing God's dream for our life? Obviously, the one mentioned here is sin; sinful actions and sinful attitudes drag us down. Other distractions include expectations, both from ourselves and from others, that weigh us down especially when they go unmet. And feelings of guilt about failures in our past. We've probably all seen a race where the lead runner looks over their shoulder for a split second, only to be overtaken because they looked backwards and not forward.
Paul addresses this in Philippians 3:13-14: "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Keep Your Eyes on the Finish Line
Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us the secret: "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."
This is a call to focus on the goal. "Let us run the race with endurance." How? "By keeping our eyes on Jesus." That's the key. Jesus is our goal. Jesus is our destination. No matter what dream God has for your life, Jesus is the source and the focus of that dream. You may say, I really don't know what dream God has for me. That's ok, you can still pursue the goal of becoming more like Jesus.
Life Application: Your Spiritual Training Regimen
Just like any athlete needs a training regimen, we need to develop habits of renewal. Hebrews 12:12-13 says, "So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."
If you were to attempt to run a marathon without the proper training and conditioning, the results might be disastrous. The same holds true for our spiritual lives. You want to wholeheartedly run after that dream that God has put on your heart? What small steps are you taking to train your soul and spirit to get there?
The big three in the Christian training regimen would have to be prayer, Bible study, and small groups. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27: "All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step."
We're talking about pursuing God's dream for our lives, whether it is a dream for a moment, a season, or a lifetime. How can we not take the risk, even if we fall, even if we struggle, even if we experience pain? The race is long, the race is hard, but we run with confidence knowing the One who runs alongside us is the One who loves us, who created us and the very One who has given us a dream to pursue.
Reflection
What "baggage" or distractions are you currently dragging that might be slowing you down in pursuing God's dream for your life? Are there sinful habits, unmet expectations, or guilt from past failures that need to be left behind?
When you face difficulties in following God's calling, how do you fight against discouragement? What lies do you tell yourself that hold you back from the freedom God wants for you?
Looking at Jesus' example of enduring the cross while focusing on "the joy awaiting him," what helps you keep your eyes on the eternal goal rather than looking over your shoulder at past hurts?
Application
Develop habits of renewal this week:
Choose one spiritual discipline to strengthen your "tired hands and weak knees," whether it's starting your day with Scripture on your phone, practicing breath prayers throughout the day, or connecting with a small group
Identify one specific weight or distraction you need to "strip off" and take a concrete step to remove it
Find someone to share your story with, how is God working in your life right now? Remember, we're all in this race together and can draw strength from one another's testimonies
Prayer
Lord, thank you that I don't run this race alone. Help me to strip off the weights that slow me down and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. When I face hostility, discouragement, or want to give up, remind me of your love and the eternal prize that awaits. Give me the discipline to train my soul through prayer, your Word, and fellowship with others. Help me run with purpose in every step, knowing that you are writing a beautiful story with my life. May I find strength in the crowd of witnesses around me and be an encouragement to others who are struggling in their own race. In Jesus' name, Amen
