The Christian journey isn't a sprint—it's a marathon that tests our endurance when the crowds disappear and faith stops being fun. Drawing from Hebrews 12, this message confronts a critical truth: most people don't quit at the beginning of their faith walk; they quit somewhere in the middle when life gets hard, prayers seem unanswered, and the cheering stops. Like marathoners who fade around mile 13, believers often drift away not because they wanted to abandon their faith, but because they simply got tired. The call here is powerful: lay aside every hindrance and sin that so easily ensnares us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith. The real issue isn't that sin traps us; it's that we're unwilling to let it go, holding onto things we know aren't good for us because they provide false comfort. Whether it's addiction, unhealthy relationships, or any pattern that anchors us in place, we must release these weights to move forward. Jesus endured the cross 'for the joy set before Him'—the joy of spending eternity with each one of us. That's the focus we need: not on yesterday's failures or tomorrow's worries, but on today's step forward. When we laser-focus on Jesus, taking one step at a time, our endurance increases and our faith deepens. The question isn't whether we'll face mile 13 moments; it's what we'll do when we reach them.