Like the races that were run by those heroes we looked at yesterday in the “hall of faith” of Hebrews chapter eleven, our race isn’t an easy one.

the 1st verse of Hebrews twelve urges us to “run with endurance the race that’s set before us.” the first Greek term that’s interpreted “race” is ah-go-na ( said with a long “o” ), from which we get our word “agony.” Life is troublesome sledding for the majority, not unlike a painful marathon full of challenges and tests. And so, for us to endure it, we want to “lay aside every encumbrance”—all the things that distract us and keep us from running well—and “the sin which so simply entangles us” ( Hebrews 12:1 ).

In the area of the prior chapter on religion, this no doubt refers back to the sin of unbelief. To remain active and powerful from one day to the next, unnecessary distractions must be laid aside and powerful religion must be applied.

Religion in what? A better query would be religion in whom? The following verse tells us:. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the writer and perfecter of religion, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat at the right hand of the throne of Almighty God. Just as a runner in a race fixes their attention on the tape at the end of the distance being run, we are to mend our minds only on Christ. The first word interpreted “fixing” suggests the concept of looking away from the rest and staying centered absolutely on Jesus Christ our Lord. There’s no smarter way to endure life’s race than that.

did you know Christ? Have you placed your religion and trust in Him and Him alone? If you havenot, the secret for you—before you start running this race—is Religion .

If you have placed your religion in Christ, the secret for you—as you are running this race—is FOCUS.