Of the early Jerusalem Christians it was reported, "They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42.) Paul encouraged the saints at Corinth by writing, "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58.) And still again inspiration exhorts, "Let us not be weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9.)
 
Though the New Testament compares the Christian life to a race to be run (1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1), this race is no quick sprint, but rather a life-long, all-consuming marathon of endurance. Many begin the race but quickly tire and retire. Others run for some distance but eventually become either distracted or discouraged before dropping out. Thankfully, still others continue the race as they keep on keeping on, until they finally reach the finish line and are able to say as did the apostle Paul in the long ago, "I have finished my course." (2 Timothy 4:7.)
 
Jacob A. Riis once wrote, "When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know that it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before the final blow." Patience and perseverance pay off.
 
The crown of life is not promised to those who start and stop and quit the race; it is promised to the faithful. (Revelation 2:10.)