“The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.”

Solomon King of Israel (10th century BC)

Eccl. 9:11 NLT

The race we are called to run as Christians is not based on speed but persistence and endurance. God has promised victory and a glorious crown to all who are willing to endure and finish the Christian life. Even through failure and discouragement, we are to get up, dust off and continue on to the finish line. We are promised that Christ will give us the strength and sustenance and will ensure that we complete the course if we look to Him with trust and commitment.

Press on, take hold, release the past, strain forward.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul The Apostle (62 AD)

Philippians 3:12-14 NIV