Paul compares the Christian life to that of running a race. It’s an appropriate analogy because there is a starting line (when you accept Christ), a finish line (when you step from this life into eternity), and a prize at the end (heaven). Some have gotten off to a late start, others have had a slow start, and all of us have stumbled at some point along the race. But the only thing that matters is finishing well! In Philippians 3, Paul outlines three things to encourage us to run with endurance and to finish well.