One of the biggest things we struggle with today is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It is easy to be in this situation because our lives are often filled with problems and can seem like a roller coaster at times. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11, it tells us the story of many people who have gone through life and won the race because they put their trust in God, even if they failed at one point or another.

"By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God."
(Hebrews 11:7 MSG)

"By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations--the City designed and built by God. By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.
(Hebrews 11:8-12 MSG)

Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, David, and many more have gone before us and done just that; won the race of life. Each one of them had troubles, people laughed at Noah when he built a boat on dry land, Abraham gave up all he had know to follow the promise God had given to him, and David was chased by his enemies for many months before he became the King of Israel.

Another great example of living the life for God is the Apostle Paul, who said to Timothy, "You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting--God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming."
(2 Timothy 4:6-8 MSG)

So through all the troubles of life, remember that we are running a race, one that is headed for glory with God through Christ, who is the, "...one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ who gave himself as a ransom for all..." (1st Timothy 2:5 and 6 RSV) is the one who gives us that life. It is easy to get lost in the fact that we have so much sin and trouble in our lives, but with all that in mind we have to remember that Christ is living in those who believe in their hearts that he came and died for them on the cross. It is that action, God allowing his son to die on the Cross, that gives us the chance to run this great race of life. Paul said it best when he wrote to the Galatians.

"Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
(Galatians 2:20 MSG)

All these things lead us to one last thing to remember, that it is this life that God has given us that we must live. We cannot be anyone else, nor should we want to, because God made us who we are for His purpose. Although it, life, can be hard, we must endure, for the reward that we have is everlasting life with Christ in His Kingdom. Here is one final thing to think of when running this race of life...

"Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God."
(Hebrews 12 : 1 and 2 MSG)

May the Lord Jesus Chirst bless you.
Your Brother in Christ, Rob