“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
The Christian life is compared to running a race. We are told to throw off anything that hinders us, so that we can run freely. We can get emotionally weighed down by various kinds of losses, or by people who offend us, or tragedies that distract us from staying focused on Jesus and the finish line.
Whatever is encumbering us while running this race, needs to be given to Jesus, or we will end up wearing our troubles like a heavy garment. A heavily burdened, distracted runner will eventually slow down and lose sight of the finish line all together.
The marathon race metaphor is meant to remind us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Anyone who has run a marathon knows not to be distracted by the activities happening on the side lines. Jesus is the author of our faith since He began a good work in us, and He is the finisher of our faith by inspiring us to focus on the finish line, at all times.
Scripture tells us that God will never allow any trial to push us beyond the limit of what we can handle. If He permits it, we can endure it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
We can trust Jesus to be with us and get us through whatever we are facing, because He gives us His strength and peace.
One way to stay focused is to share with others the good things that God has done. Whenever we speak about God’s goodness to others, we not only encourage them, but ourselves, as well. It’s a way of keeping our focus on Jesus and the finish line.
One of the most inspiring true stories of a person who suffered, but kept her focus on the Lord, is a young lady named Ali Truwit. Her story was on the news a few years ago. She is a bright, athletic twenty three year old, who was on the Yale swim team. After graduating college, she went on a Caribbean vacation with her friend to celebrate. While swimming in the water near their boat, Ali suffered a sudden shark attack.
With her left foot and part of her lower leg bitten off, Ali had the fortitude and soundness of mind to swim 50-75 yards as fast as she could, to get back to the boat.
As shocking as it was, she did not freeze in panic and extreme pain.
She didn’t resign herself to stay still and wait for help, nor did she give up and expect to die. She swam away as fast as she could, without the lower part of her left leg, heading straight to the finish line, which, on that day, was the safety of her boat.
As I read more about her, I learned that Ali was raised in a family of strong Christian faith, who believed in keeping their eyes on the Lord at all times. Her faith prepared her to stay focused and act quickly, but her story doesn’t end with that horrific shark attack. One year later, with a prosthetic left leg, Ali swam for the US in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where she won two silver medals. Nothing can distract, slow down or discourage Ali, because her eyes are always fixed on a finish line.
Today, she visits hospitals, to inspire children who are learning to live with a prosthetic limb. Losing a leg could have been overwhelming enough to lead her into a deep depression, and lose her focus. Instead, Ali kept her eyes on Jesus, and today she inspires others to do the same.
A Bible verse that she relied upon during the hardest times is: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:13)
Jesus is leading all of us to our finish line, while a great cloud of witnesses in heaven, watch and cheer us on. We may reach several kinds of finish lines in our lifetime. A finish line could be a single decision of faith put into action, putting us on the right path, or a long term goal that is finally achieved, or the ultimate finish line of arriving in Heaven one day and standing before Jesus, face to face. We don’t need to lose a limb to know that life requires all the endurance and focus we can muster up, to keep our eyes on Him.
Jesus, saints and myriads of angels rejoice from Heaven, watching all of us run this race of faith, as we keep focused, believing like Ali, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and He is with us forever.
Lord, thank you for believing in us, and giving us strength to focus on reaching our finish line, by keeping our eyes on you at all times. Amen
Ali Truwit