Personally I don’t know anyone who, after training for a marathon, started running when the big day came – and then failed to finish.

Sadly I do know many people who, having started the marathon of the Christian life, have since dropped out.

Reading Hebrews, I think the writer probably has his own experiences – like us – of people who were running but have now stopped. Which is why he speaks very directly here to those who may have slowed to a walk. The reality of running a marathon is that even experienced runners, those in mile 22 and 23 and 24… are still not immune from giving up and failing to finish.

And so the appeal to Christians: Run on!