Lighting Up Our City Video 7: The Importance of Perseveranceნიმუში

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. (Heb. 12: 1-2 NIV)

What is perseverance?

Imagine you are a runner competing in a long-distance race over uneven terrain. Sometimes the path seems easy as your feet fall in a steady rhythm. At others, steep, treacherous passages require near-total concentration. Each step of the race finds you straining toward the goal. Grit drives you forward, and you are determined to persevere until you’ve reached the finish line.

That is the comparison for how we are to live our lives as Christians that we find in Hebrews 12:1-2: “…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 our faith…”

When we live our lives in obedience to Christ, we do so with a commitment my childhood pastor described as the need to “keep on keeping on.” That’s perseverance in action.

We actively demonstrate our faith in this way, moving forward with determination because it honors God. We do so regardless of the circumstances we face – illness, opposition, injustice, or even our own sinful desires.

But how do we do that? By just trying harder? Not at all.

The answer is in verse 2, where the author describes “fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

We follow His example and trust that He will take care of us in every situation, regardless of the circumstances around us. When He is our focus, we are free to move forward in faith, confident in His protection, provision, and purpose for our lives. We are free to persevere.

What steps can you take today to focus on persevering in your walk with Christ? Thank God for how He has shown His faithfulness to you in the past and trust Him with today and all of your tomorrows.

By Dawn Tolbert