Keep on going..

When things get tough, the tough get going. We have all heard that saying. How can we keep on going when things are really tough and when it is easier to give up rather than hang in there and persevere?

Let's look at Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Jesus was able to endure the cross and persevere because of the hope of the joy that He knew was coming after the suffering!
Hebrews 12:1-3
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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James encourages us to persevere and keep on going so that we become more mature and complete!
James 1:3-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Here is a real life Olympic inspiraton. At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Tanzanian marathon runner Stephen Akhwari badly injured his knee but limped on to finish over an hour behind the rest of the field. When asked by filmmaker Bud Greenspan after the finish why he had continued to run, Akhwari famously replied, “My country did not send me 7000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7000 miles to finish it”

That’s right. We may be tired and weary right now from an earlier fall and feel that we cannot go on anymore. But God didn’t send us this far only to start the race, He got us here to finish it! Now, let’s get up, brush off the dirt and keep on going! Let's put our hope on the author and perfector of our faith..
Jude 24,25
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.