GREG LAURIE: 2024 is almost over. Here’s how to make a great run in 2025

As we prepare for 2025, we must remember that we have a spiritual race.

The Apostle Paul often uses the analogy of a runner in a race in all his letters, emphasizing perseverance, focus and purpose. As we enter a new year, we must ask: what does it mean? run this race faithfully in today’s world?

Running the race of life well is a search for faith, purpose and closeness to God. It is a journey where the finish line is not marked by accolades or worldly achievements, but by how faithfully we live for Christ. When we run for gold in this race, we cannot accept mediocrity as a follower of Jesus.

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However, the Apostle Paul notes that our “adversaries” are not Christians. Our competition is between the things of this world, the desires of the flesh and the distractions of the devil.

The world offers many shortcuts, false promises and temporary pleasures that seem attractive at the time, but ultimately slow us down in our search for God. To do the race well, we must continuously evaluate what influences us and whether it leads us towards the prize or away from it.

It’s easy to get distracted or discouraged by life’s challenges, it can often feel like we’re going through a crowd of obstacles with no end in sight. This is why it is essential to recognize the subtle ways in which we can be distracted in order to be able to redirect our mind. When we focus on glorifying God in everything we do, race becomes meaningful, regardless of our difficulties and setbacks.

One of the biggest obstacles to running the race of life well is our tendency to look back. In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me in heaven in Christ Jesus.”

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Our past mistakes, regrets and shame often become weights that prevent us from running freely. Instead, we are called to focus on the present and the future – what God has in store for us and how we can move forward in his grace.

So, how was your run in 2024? Have you missed the track or are you running for the gold?

Remember that it’s not about how fast you run, but how faithful you are in every step.

The moment you believed in Jesus Christthis race begins for you. Some of you have just started, while others have been running for a long time.

My son Christopher has already finished his race, and his old dad is still running! As I get older, I think about completing this race more than ever.

Remember that it’s not about how fast you run, but how faithful you are in every step.

Pastor Greg Laurie and his wife Cathe. (Harvest Church/Pastor Greg Laurie)

I know some who did not finish their race with joy (see Acts 20:24). I also know others who seem strong in faith, but have “crashed and burned” in the race of life. They are out of the way or, in some cases, even self-destructed.

We see this in the Bible as well.

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King Saul was tall, handsome, charismatic, and anointed by God to be the king. Prophesying with the prophets, he had incredible potential.

But because Saul disobeyed God repeatedly and allowed pride—and eventually paranoia and jealousy—to consume him, it led to a series of sins, causing God to ultimately reject him.

He started his race well, but his finish was a disaster – he didn’t keep the faith.

Or consider the mighty Samson, supernaturally blessed with super-human strength and able to defeat his enemies with relative ease.

But, like all people, Samson had his vulnerabilities. A series of compromises took place in his life, and even he did not finish his race well.

Paul, however, wanted to be in the company of those who “finished their race with joy”, joining the ranks of those who finished in the circle of God’s winners. Men like Caleb, whose incredible story is found in Joshua 14. Or Daniel, who did not compromise, even in his 80s.

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We commit to finish what we started, remembering this: the race of life is not a quick sprint but a long-term race.

Run well this new year and every year after. Maintain a heavenly mindset with each mile marker you pass, remembering that the gold we pursue is not for earthly gain, but eternal glory.

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