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"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)Augustine
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"The whole life of a good Christian is a holy longing. But what you long for is not yet seen. By longing you are enlarged, made capable of receiving what you will see when He comes. Run, I say -- run, for you are not running without a goal. Consider Him who is the goal: Jesus Christ."
Sermon on 1 John 4Henri Nouwen
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"The discipline of the spiritual life is to keep meeting God in the circumstances of life, no matter how difficult or confusing they may be. Do not be afraid to run the race set before you. The one who calls you is faithful, and He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion."
*The Inner Voice of Love*John Chrysostom
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"Let us run the race set before us with all speed, looking to Jesus. For He is both the beginning and the end of our faith. He has gone before us, and He follows after us. He leads the way that we might not fear, and He walks beside us that we might not faint. Do not look at the length of the race, but at the prize at its end."
Homily on the Epistle to the HebrewsThomas à Kempis
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"Take up your cross, therefore, and follow Jesus, and you shall enter eternal life. He has gone before you, carrying His cross, and He died for you on the cross, that you also might carry your cross and desire to die on it. If you seek anything else but God alone, you will miss the reward. Let the naked following of Jesus be your only aim."
*The Imitation of Christ*, Book II, Chapter 12If you stripped away every weight you're carrying that isn't yours to carry -- what would be left, and would you run faster?
Musonius Rufus
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"We should not avoid hard work or choose the soft life, for nature gave us the capacity to bear hardship. Indeed, even plants and animals are improved by it; how much more so humans? The one who trains for virtue does not practice only in words, but also in deeds. He does not say, 'I wish,' but 'I will,' and then does it."
Lecture 6, *On Training*St. Clair, Michigan -- 6:30 AM
Clear sky. 57°F. Humidity: 88%. Wind: SE at 6 mph.