“In the old story ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ the outcome seemed obvious. The rabbit would be the sure winner. At the start of the race, he shot out and disappeared into the distance. He was so confident in his speed that he stopped to take a nap. Meanwhile, the turtle just kept slowly moving forward without stopping, until he crossed the finish line…first. So, when it comes to the race set before us, Hebrews tells us to “run the race” not with speed but with endurance. Many people make an impressive start. They go all out for God, riding a wave of emotion that crashes because they never counted the cost or committed to persevering no matter what. If you want to win the race, you must be like the turtle. Run the race set before you with endurance, perseverance, and resolve. Count the cost and commit yourself to following, come what may. Be faithful daily in prayer, the Word, and fellowship. Be consistent when you feel like it and when you don’t. Then step by step in due time, like the turtle, you’ll win your good race. TODAY’S MISSION – Today, commit yourself all the more to running your race in God, steadily, consistently, persevering, and to the finish line.” —-An excerpt from Jonathan Cahn’s Sapphires