Today’s Verse
“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.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
The Long Obedience
Starting is easy. It’s the finishing that’s hard. We begin with enthusiasm, passion, and energy, ready to follow Jesus wherever He leads. But somewhere along the way, the initial excitement fades. The road gets longer than we expected. The cost becomes clearer. And we’re faced with a choice: will we keep going, or will we settle for something easier?
The Christian life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. And marathons aren’t won by those who start fast; they’re won by those who endure. Paul understood this at the end of his life when he said he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Not that he had preached the best sermons or performed the most miracles, but that he had stayed faithful. He had endured. He had finished.
Finishing well doesn’t require perfection, it requires perseverance. It’s built in the daily choice to pick up your cross and follow Him again. It’s saying yes to obedience when no one’s watching. It’s getting back up after you fall. It’s keeping your eyes on Jesus when everything around you is screaming for your attention.
Today, wherever you are in the race, whether you’re just beginning, running strong, or limping toward the finish line, remember this: God’s grace is sufficient for every mile. You don’t have to finish in your own strength. Keep your eyes on Him. Stay faithful in the small things. And trust that the One who began a good work in you will carry you all the way home.
Today’s Prayer
Father, help me to finish well, to stay faithful, and to keep my eyes on You until the very end of this race.
I want to run with endurance, to not just start strong but to cross the finish line still believing, still loving, still following You with my whole heart.
Teach me that finishing well requires daily faithfulness, that it’s built in the ordinary moments of choosing You again and again, not just in big spectacular acts.
The race is long, distractions are many, and I’m tempted to grow weary, to compromise, to settle for less than what You’ve called me to.
Help me fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, keeping my gaze steady on Him so I don’t veer off course or lose momentum.
Remind me that many start the race but not all finish well, that perseverance matters, that how I end is just as important as how I begin.
Give me strength for the long obedience in the same direction, grace for when I stumble, and determination to get back up and keep running toward the prize.
Let me one day hear well done, good and faithful servant, knowing that by Your grace I stayed the course, remained faithful, and kept my eyes fixed on You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.