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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

I love the summer holidays! The days are long and there are not the same pressures of work or school routines! It’s a time for the family to spend quality and carefree time together, exploring new places and catching up with extended family.

Every four years the summer holiday is even more exciting as we eagerly follow the Olympics! And now we have the excitement of the Rio Paralympics! When UK’s Mo Farah fell during the 10000m we gasped at how he picked himself up and somehow still managed to win.

He said, “At one moment I thought my dream was over, my race was over. I thought about all my hard work and that it could all be gone in a minute. I wasn’t going to let it go. I got up quickly. I thought about my family. It made me emotional. I was thinking to myself, no, no, I’ve worked too hard to miss the medals. I promised my daughter Rhianna I was going to get her a medal. I wasn’t going to let her down.”

He was not going to let this setback hinder him! He was focused on the goal he had set his eyes on! As we read, dissect and understand Hebrews 12:1-2, we are called to be as focused on our spiritual and heavenly goal as these Olympic athletes are on their sporting goals.

What may be hindering us from our spiritual goals and the race that God had marked out for us? Is it a lack of steadfastness? A lack of discipline or perseverance when times are tough, or perhaps we are enjoying ourselves so much that God is left on the back burner?

We have more witnesses than we will ever know, be it family, friends or strangers. So let us remove ourselves from those things that hinder us, be it sin or be it “busyness.”

Consider getting FIT for Jesus:

Fix our eyes on Him, learn from Him and draw strength from His Spirit

Intentionally study and live out His Word in our daily lives to glow for Him wherever we are, and

Throw off everything that hinders or ensnares!

Then we too can run a good race. Let us get FIT by:

• Praising and thanking God for who He is; a responsible God who keeps His words and never stops racing with you.
• Asking God to help you long for oneness with Him in every aspect of your lives and for the courage to throw off everything that hinders or ensnares.