The Hebrews writer tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, the author, the source, and the champion who initiates our faith. For the joy set before Him in faith, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame. In other words, He endured the most excruciating act of costly love ever known, because of the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen. So whatever the race marked out for you looks like, run it with perseverance.