What do West Point graduates, national spelling bee champions, sales people, and rookie teachers in tough neighborhoods have in common? According to Psychologist Angela Duckworth, the answer is this week’s topic: Grit. Grit is defined as “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals.”

Because of the work of Jesus, we can exude grit in our faith. The author of Hebrews writes our core verse from Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”