B.A.Y.O.R : Persistence On The Eight Lane

¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

To qualify as a country's representative in the 100 meters men’s sprint event at the Olympics, each runner must have won several other races

...after much vigorous training.

However, the medal for the final race is not automatic;
each runner on this track has to prove himself worthy.

²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)

The runner on the eight lane may be closer to the crowd

but he is in no way a spectator.
He's the athlete, not them; thus he can not be distracted by their comments
(or their cheering) because his focus must be on finishing the race.

He runs according to the rules (e.g. maintaining his own lane) to finish his race in good time.

¹ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

A runner dresses close to skin so as to pierce better and faster through the wind.

As we race towards the end of the year, it will do us good to travel light;

Clad in humility, joy, love, peace etc

On the contrary, anger, malice, discouragement, hatred, bitterness and the like

can slow us down.

May the Grace to run Persistently till the end of this year and all our years,
be multiplied to us this eight month.

God bless you!