Running the Race

This is in the Bible in Hebrews 12:1-3

Running the race with Jesus is best but it’s not always easy. Just like a long race like the marathon, there are times when we might wonder whether it is worth it. Today Granny told us about what God says about running the race. After Jesus rose from the dead he went back to heaven. God then helped Jesus’ followers to write down all the things Jesus had said so that people would know how to live with Jesus as their king. One man wrote a letter called Hebrews. He said “So let us run the race that is before us and never give up.” He is reminding us that living with Jesus as our king is like running a very long race for the rest of our lives. He says “We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.” Just like a runner doesn’t run in wellies, a big thick coat and a rucksack, but gets rid of all those things to run faster and better; so someone who runs the race with Jesus gets rid of anything that stops them running well. Sin is like an obstacle that gets in the way and makes us want to stop running the race with Jesus properly. Instead the writer says we should look to Jesus and remember Jesus who died for us and took the punishment for our sin. We can be sure we are forgiven because Jesus rose from the dead and is now alive. Then the writer says “But Jesus accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne. Think about Jesus. He held on patiently while sinful people were doing evil things against him. Look at Jesus’ example so that you will not get tired and stop trying.” You see living for Jesus can be hard but Jesus has run his race which was really, really hard and he will help us to keep going and finish the race if we keep looking to Him.