One of my favorite television programs is The Amazing Race. In this reality show, ten couples are sent to a foreign country where they must race, via trains, buses, cabs, bikes, and feet, from one point to another to get their instructions for the next challenge. The goal is for one couple to get to a designated finishing point before everyone else, and the prize is a million dollars.

我很喜欢电视节目《极速前进》。在这个真人实境的节目中，有十对选手会被送到另一个国家，使用火车、公车、计程车、脚踏车或步行等方式竞赛，在各个赛段中完成指定任务。参赛队伍的目标是比其他人更快抵达终点，以获得奖金一百万美元。

The apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a race and admitted that he had not yet arrived at the finish line. “Brothers and sisters,” he said, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize” (Phil. 3:13–14). Paul did not look back and allow his past failures to weigh him down with guilt, nor did he let his present successes make him complacent. He pressed on toward the goal of becoming more and more like Jesus.  

使徒保罗将基督徒的生命比做一场赛跑，并且承认他自己尚未抵达终点。他说：“弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向着标竿直跑，要得上帝在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏”（腓立比书3章13-14节）。保罗不执着于过往，他没有因过去的失败而内疚沮丧，也没有因当前的成就而感到自满。他向着标竿直跑，为要越来越像耶稣。

We are running this race too. Despite our past failures or successes, let us keep pressing on toward the ultimate goal of becoming more like Jesus. We are not racing for an earthly prize, but for the ultimate reward of enjoying Him forever.

我们也正在场上赛跑。不管我们过去曾经失败或成功，让我们继续向着最终的目标直跑，变得更像耶稣。我们不是要得这世上的奖赏，而是要得着那永恒的赏赐，就是永远享受上帝的同在。

Read Philippians 4:11–13. How are we able to press on toward our future hope? Read Hebrews 12:1–2. What are some practical things we must do to continue to press on and persevere?