Alma 34

In reading Hebrews for my New Testament class, I found a phrase I really like: "let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

Life can be like a race. We exist before the race begins and we exist afterwards. Even if the race is a long, grueling one, it's not long in comparison to the time spent outside of the race. However, this race determines who you are.

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32).

It's important to stay on the path. You have to return to the path to finish, to progress. Even when the course has obstacles and hurdles, you persevere. This isn't a race against other people. It isn't a race where you have to run the whole time. You just do the absolute best you can. It's how you run the race that matters. Did you warn others about the obstacles that were coming? Did you prepare yourself and do the best you could to prepare others? Did you take the time to help, serve, and encourage the other participants? 

There are enough Gold Medals for everyone. There's one waiting for every individual. We just need to do our best and turn to God and repent. We all make mistakes on this course. We aren't perfect. But we need to be adequately prepared, we need to do the best we can, we need to have the best sportsmanship. We need to be patience and endure to the end the best we can.