As a sports fan, I’ve always loved looking at teams and seeing people win. So, even if I didn’t watch the entire game, I would turn on the television to watch the final minutes before a champion is crowned. The exception was when the winner was playing against the team I’m rooting for, because the agony of defeat was too painful to bear.
But generally speaking, seeing people experience the elation and joy of winning inspires me. It motivates me to apply the virtues of discipline, dedication, and determination so that success is the result of my endeavours.
The life of a born-again believer in Christ is likened to running a race. This race is not a competition with others. We must run our own race. However, we must run with the mindset of a champion athlete to succeed so that we can make a positive impact on those around us and receive rewards and commendation from the Lord.
It is also important to draw inspiration from those who have run the race successfully. People often align themselves with heroes from their hometown, city, or country, as that affiliation produces a sense of pride and inspiration. The apostle Paul understood the power of inspiration, which is why, after chronicling the feats of several heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, he wrote in Hebrews 12:1,
“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,”
He wanted us to draw inspiration from the success of faith heroes who were not perfect, but were valiant and worthy champions.
There will be moments of doubt, discouragement, and defeat in the Christian life. However, many have run this race before us. Their example gives hope and confidence that you and I can run and succeed, too. So draw inspiration from the heroes of the faith and keep striving!