The Bible compares the Christian life to a race:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

...holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (Philippians 2:16)

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... (Hebrews 12:1)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7)

Thirty years ago I read a book by Steve Farrar called Finishing Strong (Amazon link). The premise of the book, if I recall correctly, was that many people start out their Christian life full of gratitude and zeal and willing to do anything for Jesus. But over time, temptations and hardships and compromises come our way. We may stumble, stray, or slowly lose our steam. Some wipe out, some crash and burn, some slowly fade away. What matters is not how we start the race, but how we finish it. You may struggle and grow weary and wander off the path (I know I do!), but the Christian who earns trophies in heaven is the one who keeps going. When he wipes out he gets back up and keeps pushing forward.

As I've continued on in my Christian life, that long-haul vision has stuck with me all these years. Following Jesus, staying faithful, is not easy. It can be a slog at times carrying His light and love down muddy paths in the black of night. It's hard wrestling day after day with the sin around us and the sin within us.

I am FAR from a good example. Even after all these years I still give in to sin and ugliness and rebellion and failure. I've gained weight both physically and spiritually. There are days when I barely make any time for God until I put my exhausted head on my pillow and only then bother to grab for my Bible. So I'm writing this for myself as much as I am for anyone else.

But I do believe that a long-distance mindset makes it easier to push forward. To keep trying. To not give up.