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We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Hebrews 12:1 (NCV)
I’ll admit it. I’m not a runner. Not that I have anything gainst people that run. I have several friends that are runners and they seem nice enough. Actually I rather admire their commitment to the sport. I have one friend in particular that lives about ten miles outside of town. One night I saw him running on the local High School running track. An hour later he was still running. As I headed home I saw him running along the highway. It was then I realized he’d run into town to run on the track and then ran home.
He talked to me one time and said he was really hurting. He’d run two marathons in one weekend. “I won’t do that again.” I thought: “Neither would I because I’d be dead after the first one!”
I prefer walking myself. When you walk you can take your time. People who walk smile and say hi to people they meet. Runners grimace and rarely great you as they glide past you. So, even though I know there are many valid points to running, I still prefer to walk.
Having said all that, the Apostle Paul likens the Christian walk to more of a run. The writer to the Hebrews implores us to run the race and never give up. The word ‘run’ in Greek is the word ‘agon’. It’s the same word we get the word agony from.
Living for Christ was never meant to be easy. Although I’m not a runner (did I mention that already?) I know that to be a runner you need to start slow, working up your distance, speed and endurance. I know that you need to pay attention to the signals your body is sending you; pay attention to your limitations; know what you can do and what you can’t do to your body; learn to pace yourself and not take on more than you can handle; learn to push through the tough stuff. In short, running is hard work, but the benefits far outweigh the pain.
One more thing I know about running (actually walking too) is that it’s far easier to quit running habits than it is to establish running habits. Habits take a long time to develop, but they are well worth it. That’s true in our physical lives, but it’s also true in our spiritual lives.
Too often we don’t establish good habits in our lives because we give up too soon. We don’t have the commitment to push on. We can accomplish most anything in our lives (exercise, Spiritual disciplines, eating habits, etc.) if are truly committed to it.
If you truly believe your Spiritual life is important to you and that you want to grow closer to God, then you need to make it a priority. Work hard at it. Never give up. Know your limitations and what keeps you from meeting with God and avoid those pitfalls. Runners in a marathon come to a place they call ‘hitting a wall’. It’s that point where the body tells you that you can’t go on. It’s lying to you. You CAN go on. You just need to push through it.
The same goes for our spiritual lives. You may be hitting a wall right now in your walk with God. You may hear the voices telling you that you can’t do this anymore, that walking with God isn’t worth it. Don’t listen. Push on! Finish the race and finish strong! It’s well worth the agony.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you showed in your life how important it is to keep focused on a goal. I struggle daily to meet the demands of my life. I give up too easily and then fight the guilt I have for quitting. Empower me with your Spirit to push on when the going gets tough. Amen.
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. Colossians 3:10 (CEV)
I’ll be honest with you. I’m not a runner. Never have been much of a runner and don’t really intend on becoming one. I love walking much better. When I’m walking I can enjoy the scenery more than when I’m gasping for breath. I’ve also noticed that when you are walking and you meet another walker, they smile and may even say hi. Runners? Not so much. Every runner I’ve met has either just passed by in a blur or were too busy grimacing to respond to my greeting.
If you are a runner and enjoy it, God bless you. I think you’re crazy, but that’s not important.
In spite of my disdain for running I have to admit that it does have it’s benefits and much of what you learn about running can aid you in life in general.
Take for instance the long distance runner. I have a friend who loves to run marathons. He’s run in several major marathons across the country and even though he’s never one a major one, he loves to compete in them and set a goal for where he will place. He considers himself a winner if he meets or exceeds his goal.
One thing I’ve learned from him as we’ve talked about his hobby is the importance of pacing yourself. When he begins a marathon he’s well aware that he can’t sprint the entire distance. He’ll burn out way to quickly. The distance runner learns how to ‘listen’ to his/her body, when to push, when to lay back, when to stop. The distance runner is aware of distractions but focused on the prize at the end.
A few years ago the story is told of a young runner who got confused on a race course. He was one step away from going to the state tournament and was favored to win at state. Tragedy struck however when he became confused and ran the wrong way. He realized his mistake and turned around. He didn’t get to go to state because of his miscue, but he finished the race well.
That’s what life is really about. Running the race, finishing well and realizing that distractions and disappointments may come but they will never keep us from the ultimate goal, the finish line.
That’s what Grace is about. Grace isn’t about winning the race, it’s about finishing. Grace isn’t about running a perfect race, it’s about running. Grace isn’t about performance on self but reliance on Jesus Christ. Religion demands perfection now. Grace knows perfection is both immediate (through Jesus’ sacrifice) and future (when our faith is made complete in his presence).
When you ask Christ into your life your eternal destiny is finished, but the race must still be won. You may not finish well, but you will finish. You may not run a perfect race, but you must run. You may be distracted, stumble or go off course. But you can always come back.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that through the forgiveness Jesus offers my eternal destiny is settled. I realize I must still run the race. Thank you that you aren’t surprised when I stumble, go off course or don’t run to my potential. Empower me to strive for excellence in my running for your sake. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 