Running the Race with Faith

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 

— 2 Timothy 4:7 

There have been a few things that I have wished for most of my life. I want to find a man who will love me for who I am. I’ve always wanted to get married on the beach with both of us barefoot and wearing khaki linen pants and white linen shirts. I’ve wanted to have a job that I love that pays well and for my family to accept me for who I am. Those are probably all unrealistic dreams that will never come true, but one dream that might come true is for my tombstone to read “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”—2 Timothy 4:7 because that is the way I have lived my life, not just because it’s my favorite Bible verse.

As LGBTQ+ individuals, we fight every day for equality. Even if you live in a country where there are no laws limiting your equality, we all wish for equality for the LGBTQ+ around the world. Our fight may not always be against people, family, religious leaders, the homophobic in society, or politicians who do not accept us, but it can also be against our own doubt, fear, rejection, and even internal struggles about who we are. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7 remind us that faith is a journey—a race we are called to run with endurance, courage, and conviction.

The simplest things can be our weapons in the fight for universal equality. First and foremost, we must vote for those who believe in equality for all and who do not exclude others because of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other characteristics that people deem to separate into categories. Life as an LGBTQ+ person of faith can feel like a race filled with obstacles and can sometimes feel like a battle. The United States and many other countries around the world are fighting against a strong resurgence of fascism that wants to erase our freedoms. 

Many of us have fought to be seen, to be accepted, and to be loved for who we are. But remember, we do not have to fight alone. God fights for us. The battles we face—whether external or internal—do not define us. Our faith, resilience, and love do. Many of us have had to fight for our place in the world, for the right to love openly, to be our authentic selves, and to worship freely. These battles are not in vain. Each step we take in love, each act of kindness, and each moment of standing firm in who we are is part of our race of faith. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

At times, the path may seem lonely, winding through rejection, misunderstanding, and the struggle for acceptance. But Paul’s words to Timothy remind us that faith is a journey—a race that we are called to run with perseverance, courage, and hope. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Our lives are a unique and beautiful journey. No one else can run our race for us. God has called us to live authentically, to love boldly, and to keep our faith even when the road is tough. We must keep moving forward, knowing that our identity and faith are not at odds, but are part of the beautiful story God is writing in our lives.

There may be times when faith feels difficult—when church communities misunderstand, when family struggles arise, or when we wrestle with your own doubts. But faith is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting that God walks with us, even in uncertainty. Keeping the faith means holding onto the truth that God’s love for you is unshakable.Proverbs 3:5 advises us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” God calls us to keep going, to hold onto the truth that we are beloved, cherished, and created in divine love. We are not running alone—Jesus runs beside us, strengthening us when we feel weary. The community of believers who affirm and uplift us are also part of our journey.  

Finishing the race does not mean that life is easy or that struggles disappear. It means that through it all, we have remained faithful—to God, to love, and to our true selves. When we stand at the finish line, we will see that every step mattered, every act of love changed the world, and that God was with us the entire way. Hopefully, those around us and love us will think, “He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith.”