In 1903, a French sports newspaper announced the inception of the Tour de France.

The world’s greatest bicycle race was started as a way to increase the circulation of a French sports newspaper. The newspaper’s cycling reporter suggested a six-day race over roads and towns rather than on a track. On January 19, 1903, it was announced that a month-long bike race would be held from Paris to Lyon to Marseille to Toulouse to Bordeaux to Nantes to Paris—and the Tour de France was born.

The first race attracted 60 riders and included six stages covering approximately 2,388 kilometers (about 1,400 miles). The most recent Tour de France included a pre-race prologue, 20 stages, and covered 3,390 kilometers. The race, which runs for 22 days with only two days of rest, is a test of human spirit as much as physical prowess. As six-time winner Lance Armstrong explained, “I believe that the man who works the hardest is the man who deserves to win.” Perseverance—working hard day after day in the rain, the heat, or up in the mountains—is the key to winning what some consider the greatest sporting event in the world.

That same characteristic is also needed living out your faith each day. In fact, the apostle Paul compared living as a Christian to a race. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 Paul writes, “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.” What is the prize? Paul calls it the “eternal prize” of heaven.

The persevering Christian prays consistently, gives thanks consistently, and keeps his or her focus on Jesus—the lead runner and model finisher of the race.

How’s your race coming along?

“And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (Hebrews 12:1,2).

To Do

Reflect on the faith race you are running. Assess how you are doing. What do you need to improve? Where do you excel?

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Popcorn Day.

Today is National Penguin Awareness Day.

1807—General Robert E. Lee was born today.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.