THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE 3

We must endure hardships, disciplines and chastisements as a good soldier and athlete so that our aim would be achieved. The beautiful thing is that it is just for a while.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
While we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal
              2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG)

Another wonderful thing is that we are not alone in this journey, we have also with us a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, cheering us on so that we won't be discouraged, telling us we can make it, but there is a very important instruction that we shouldn't leave out and that is Laying down of weight and sins that easily besets us.
Weights slows down
An athlete in a race runs as light as possible, he wants to make sure there is nothing hindering him from running with all his/ her might even the clothing.
Let us imagine an athlete who wants to run a marathon with a backpack full of heavy materials, the race in itself may not make him as tired as the burden that comes with the backpack he is carrying.
If the coach is calling our attention to any distraction, weight or sin that is slowing us down in our race, what he expects if for us to lay it down even if it is seemingly appealing or luxurious. If it is a sin, he expects repentance and forsaking. He knows better.
We need a  patience, perseverance and endurance to finish the race, we are not to look back.
We need to keep looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, our greatest model, we must not allow our gaze to leave him, we must learn from his own sojourn here on earth. His experiences were not palatable.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto them that obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9)

He didn't give up, he endured the cross, he despised the shame and eventually he was able to say IT IS FINISHED. He finished strong and he is waiting for us at the other side.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Stick with me dear friends. Keep track of those you see running the same course, headed for the same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them many times; sadly,i'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead -end street.
                   Philippians 3:15-18(MSG)