Whether it is a gold medal, a touchdown, a walk-off home run, a goal, or a three pointer at the buzzer, every athlete that
competes is reaching for the top prize in their sport. However, in every contest, there are road blocks to achieving the
desired result. There are opponents, a time clock, field or court conditions, coaching decisions and even referees that seem to
keep the athlete from achieving success.

However, the greatest challenges to achieving success in sports actually come from within. The lack of self discipline, poor
choices, or fear live large in the stockpile of reasons athletes do not succeed.

Happiness, fulfillment, the perfect job, family, friends, acceptance to the right school, or getting an “A” in a class are things we
search for in life to satisfy the longings found inside each human soul. Just like in sports there are things in life that seem to
be road blocks to our success. Personal relationships, health issues, bosses, geographical obstacles, and financial limitations
are some of these issues.

The writer of Hebrews knew that the road to success in life is based on having the right goal. He illustrates life with the athletic
metaphor of a race and encourages the reader to break free in the race of life by throwing off all that hinders and the sin that
entangles. The writer also knows that when you break free from something, you need to know what you’re breaking free toward.
So, he encourages his readers to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”


Theme Verse
 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1st Corinthians 16:13