Day 29: Run with Endurance

Focus Area - REACH FORWARD
Stretching Toward the Future

Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

Reflection: 
“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C.T. Studd

Expanded focus:
As I reviewed our theme’s anchor verse, Isaiah 54:2, and connected it to the 2026 vision—the year of reach—my heart was deeply moved. From growing inward to reaching outward, spiritually, relationally, and missionally, God is calling us to expand our faith in every direction. I couldn’t help but reflect on how, over the past two years, our mission has stretched us forward and outward. We have reached up, out, in, and now God is calling us to reach forward.

At 89 years old, the Lord has been so good to me. My meditation carried me back to an old song: “Take me back, Dear Lord, to the place where I first received You; take me back to where I first believed.” It reminded me of the commitment I made on that day and how easy it is to drift from it. I often wish I could move faster than I can now, but I’ve learned the key is patience. Even when I can’t see how I will finish the course ahead of me, I’ve learned to take one step at a time, to run with endurance, and not give up.

Hebrews 12:1–2 teaches us that the Christian life is not a sprint—it is a marathon that you run for a lifetime. What matters most is not speed but endurance. And if I make the conscious decision to pace myself and run with patience, I may move slower, but I will finish the race God has set before me. There are no shortcuts on this journey. We can’t microwave our faith or our church’s growth. God does not bow to our microwave mentality. And we cannot run anyone else’s race. Each of us has a race designed for us specifically by God. The only thing we share is that we are following the same God.

So don’t look at the person running beside you. When you do, you tend to drift toward whatever you focus on. The good thing about it is you won’t be judged for not running someone else’s race, but whether you ran the one God set before you.

This 30-day fast has given us the chance to empty ourselves through prayer, perseverance, and letting go of what holds us back. As Hebrews reminds us, we must embrace these truths and run with endurance, keeping our eyes on Jesus—not on our limitations. God is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and we can do all things through Christ.

As we push forward beyond this fast, let us continue in unity—reaching down through praise and worship, reaching in through love, growth in faith, and stewardship; and lifting up through service and fellowship. Let’s run this race with love, patience, and endurance. AMEN!

Questions to Consider:

1. Where have you seen God stretching you, and how have you responded to that stretch?
2. What “race” has God set before you in this season, and what obstacles or distractions do you need to lay aside to run it with endurance?
3. How can you continue moving forward after this 30-day fast, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus rather than comparing your pace to others?