Run the race
My daughter called the other day to say “I am done with school.” I responded with “Wow, you haven’t called to say that in a long time. How does your report card look?” We both laughed. My daughter wasn’t a student, she was the school social worker. For years the month of June always seemed like a race to the finish the school year. Each day more and more was added to the schedule – concerts, exams, picnics, field days, class trips, graduations. June never seemed to just quietly morph into summer vacation but it was more frenzy, explosion and then it was over. I am tired just remembering the level of activity but I fondly remember the relief of making it to summer vacation time.
This stage in my life looks different than those years as a mom and educator but there is still a race – a race I want to finish well. Even though I am not a runner, I can relate to the images of running a race. I think we all can. Here are a few to ponder as you run your race.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 NIV
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 The Message
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Hebrews 12: 1-3 The Message
“When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. And please don’t toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment.” Galatians 5: 4 – 10 The Message
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
I pray that we each will “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Amen and Amen!
We just watched the movie “Paul” and I was reminded again of the race full of hardships that God called him to. There is no wonder he was able to leave us such encouragement and instruction. Thank you for this reminder as well.
May I always keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.
Ann, I believe the time I sent you a friend request on “Facebook” was after reading a submission you had made to one of my daily devotional
Readings. Since that time you have been an inspiration, as to how you are leading your life. This only adds to my respect and admiration ??