Life requires gumption. At the end of the 11^th chapter of Hebrews God talks about how a myriad of risk-takers, and reckless by-faithers (whose stories are chronicled throughout the saga of Scripture), did not receive what was promised in this life – because God intends to provide the better (perfect) experience for them, and all of us, in the next life. Which naturally segues into a chapter all about endurance. Hebrews chapter 12 says, ‘Since God has told us so many stories of people who lived and endured by looking to Him who is invisible (i.e. lived by faith), let us also RUN with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us.’ Hebrews 12 is full of talk about our need for discipline, and exhortations to endure, and beseechings to lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees. And the WAY we do this is JESUS. ABOVE ALL, we must daily renew our receptivity to the help of Jesus for every step we take, every decision we make, and every specific situation we face. We are called to hope against hope, and therefore we must incessantly obsess ourselves with Jesus of Nazareth as the Author & Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and is now risen from the dead and authoritatively seated at the right hand of the throne of God!