Olympic Games - Running the Race

The writer of Hebrews uses the rich imagery of a stadium full of spectators and athlete's on the track running the race.  Hebrews 12:1 "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."  We who know Christ are the runners and the spectators are all the former olympians who have finished the course.  We can read about their races all through the bible.   Some won, others fell short.  For us the winning formula is amazing!
Jesus finished the course with a gold metal.  When He cried "It is finished" He declared to the entire universe that the full price of our sin had been paid, our healing and deverance was covered through His blood, and we are free to run our race without any weights!  When we "seek first His kingdom and righteousness", His victory becomes ours!  How exciting it is for a nation to have their athlete stand at the top of the podium and receive the gold!  Our race is won by faith as we embrace Jesus righteousness as our own.  Now we can finish our course in the power of His Spirit and lay the winning crown at His feet.  He will look in our face and say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant... there is prepared for you..."  He rewards us for winning the race that He already ran and won and empowered us to finish the course in His strength.  Is this too good to be true?  That is why it is all of grace through faith based on His mercy.