Hebrews 12:1–3 reminds us that the Christian life is a race that requires endurance. To run well, we are called to lay aside the sins and distractions that weigh us down and keep us from moving forward in faith. But the strength to keep going does not come from ourselves. It comes from fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who has already gone before us. When we grow weary or discouraged, we look to his suffering and his victory, drawing strength from him so that we do not lose heart.