This Month’s Theme:
Run Strong, Finish Strong

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Man running being cheered on by a crowd

Reflection

This year has been an uphill race fraught with obstacles for me, and all I’d love is a pit stop. Hebrews 12:1-2 is a kind reminder that when the going gets rough, or when it feels impossible to take another step, let alone make a stride, Jesus is there to cheer us on and see us through to the finish line. In Him, we can find the rest and reprieve we need when our feet are all battered and worn. He washes the weary soles of tired souls and enables us to keep going on this journey, one step at a time.

– Elita Elkana

Join in the Conversation

2023 is soon coming to an end. How did you do this year? 

Perhaps you started the year with a bang, but got overwhelmed by life’s troubles. Or maybe you’ve accomplished everything you set out to do, and even hit a few homeruns.

For those whose race hasn’t been going too well, you aren’t alone. 

Nearly more than a millennia ago, there were saints who ran tough and challenging races filled with oppression, persecution, and obstacles–but they punched through their trials and tribulations with their eyes fixed on Jesus. These saints are now in heaven as our “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) cheering us on in our race. 

These saints aren’t backseat passengers yelling empty words of encouragement. Their experiences and lives give us hope that we, too, can conquer the challenges in our way and continue running our race with perseverance (1 Corinthians 9:25). 

With them on our side, and with our eyes on Jesus, let’s run and finish our race well.



Reflect

  1. What race are you caught up in right now that you’d rather not be in?
  2. How do you feel knowing there’s a “great cloud of witnesses” cheering you on?

Got a story about a time you finished a “race” well? Was there a time you weren’t sure if you’d be able to do what was set before you, but in the end you nailed it with God’s help? We’d love to hear all about it! Check out our Writers’ Guidelines and share more about it with us.

  • Throwing off everything that hinders
    • X ways to not let our past dictate our future
    • What has been/could be hindering my walk with God/my spiritual growth
    • X ways my life has changed for the better/I’ve developed healthier habits since becoming a Christian

    Running with perseverance

    • Why I’m determined to finish my race as a Christian 
    • X ways not to lose heart in what we have started (a new hobby/project, a new habit, resolutions)
    • X ways to train our faith muscles so we can persevere well

    Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith 

    • How fixing my eyes on Jesus has kept me buoyed/motivated amidst difficulties
    • How to rebuild focus when everything around us is calling for our attention

    Looking ahead to Christmas? Here are some topics for a head start:

    • X ways to find pockets of rest this busy season / How to not be overwhelmed by the holidays
    • X ways to spend Christmas with prickly family/relatives
    • Why I’m having a simple Christmas

Need encouragement? Here are a few articles to help you reflect:

Let Logic or Faith lead?
Let Logic or Faith lead?
My chest is tight, my palms are sweaty, I can barely hold back my tears. I’m an emotional mess. I’m undone in this place of prayer. I struggle to find the words I need—but I know He knows.

How to Grow in Faith When You Feel Stuck
How to Grow in Faith When You Feel Stuck
In the beginning, my heart was filled with hope and enthusiasm. I prayed to God and told Him that if He wanted me back in Singapore, I would obey. However, if His will was for me to stay in the UK, that doors of opportunity would open. I continued with my job hunt and actively expanded my network in hopes of meeting a future employer. But as time went by, my hope and enthusiasm waned. My applications were rejected one after another. Even my writing submissions were declined.

5 Myths About Faithfulness
5 Myths About Faithfulness
We all struggle with faithfulness from time to time, but sometimes, we may be experiencing guilt about the wrong thing or feeling frustrated because our ideas of what faithfulness looks like aren’t playing out in our lives. Here are five myths we may be holding onto about what it really means to be faithful.

2 Small Things I Do When I Struggle to be Faithful
2 Small Things I Do When I Struggle to be Faithful
If you love to-do lists, you’d enjoy creating goals for the day and ticking off every task you accomplish. When it comes to our spiritual walk, however, it's tricky to measure progress with a to-do app or list.

3 Ways to Remain Faithful When Life Seems to be Going Nowhere
3 Ways to Remain Faithful When Life Seems to be Going Nowhere
Do you ever feel like your life–career, relationships–is going nowhere, despite putting your best foot forward and giving your all in everything? Here are 3 ways to help you persevere in your faith journey.

Join in the Fun

If you’re more of a visual person, you can be a part of the YMI community by contributing or tagging your artworks with our hashtag #ymitoday. Check out our creatives’ guidelines and send us your artworks.

We know you love your colours, so do we! Every two months, we set a colour theme that we’ll work around. Use the colour palette below to increase your chances of getting featured!

November Colour Palette