What do you do when you want to give up, when the pressure is too great and the cost of following Jesus seems crippling? That was one of the questions behind the writing of this letter, but may apply to us in many different circumstances - when we feel like that we seem uniquely isolated and alone. The writer has given us a series of Old Testament characters whose life stories should encourage us that we are not alone. Our struggles are like their struggles (Romans 15:4). But the question remains, 'What should I do now?'

The scene is set in the Olympic arena where athletes are about to run their race (1 Corinthians 9:24). They remove their outer clothes, which will get in the way and anything that will impede their progress. There is a difference between sin, which will stop us following Jesus, and the things, attitudes and priorities that are unnecessary diversions from the focussed Christian life. Sin will always stop us going forward because it binds us into the past until it is repented of and forgiven. The matters that distract us may not be wrong in themselves, but will slow us down, and render us useless in God's kingdom (2 Peter 1:5-8).

There is a path, which is marked out for each of us (Proverbs 4:18). We cannot see it all at the start, nor even as we run the race, but our focus point is Jesus. If we keep our eyes on Him, listening to His Word, and keep in step with the Spirit, then we will take the right path. In athletics, an official starts the race and is at the finishing line. Jesus is that person: we start the race when we put our faith in Him and allow Him to command us; we finish the race when He decides to take us home. Along the way, it may be hard (2 Timothy 2:3). Endurance will be needed (Philippians 3:12-14). But we have the example of the 'heroes of faith' and more importantly, the Lord Jesus Christ who endured more than we will ever be called to suffer (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Following Jesus is a narrow way, which will conflict with the easy ways of the world (Matthew 7:13-14). We trust Jesus because there is no other way to be saved (Acts 4:12) like so many others who have served and suffered before us (Philippians 1:29). But greater obstacles to effective discipleship than persecution, are sin and distraction. In both, we take our focus away from Jesus and go off track. Going a little off tack may seem more a variation than a violation of God's call, but it is a violation. It is time to repent and then refocus on Jesus. Satan's temptations and the world's distractions find a common home in a self-pleasing heart. Let God's Word and Spirit work on your desires and decisions, and then choose to run the race with perseverance looking to Jesus.