It’s a marathon.
A marathon by nature is an endurance race that tests and tries the body, eventually taking it beyond its breaking point.
Though I have never ran a marathon, I have participated in a number of 5 and 10K’s to know that it takes more than just being physically fit to run this type of race.
It takes mental strength.
U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian, George S. Patton has been quoted saying, “Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”
Along with mental strength, in order to run the distance, you must also have self-control. There is great excitement and anticipation that comes on race day because of all the hard work that is put into training. The temptation is there to start the race at full speed but, well-trained runners know to resist that temptation. 
You must pace yourself so that you can have a strong finish.
In my Christian race, there are times when I am guilty of sprinting – running at full speed, getting ahead of God. Every time I do this I end up running right into trouble and am exhausted from the energy I have spent. The Bible parallels our lives to running a race. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to run with endurance the race that is set before us.
I am reminded of the morning during my senior year of high school, when I wrecked my parents car. I was rushing trying to make it to my 1st bell class on time. It was Spanish and this chica was always running late! I had spent the night before baking a cream cheese pound cake for my Ethnic Studies class as we were having an ethnic dish day celebration. My cake turned out beautifully and I was so proud that I had made it without any assistance from my mom. I placed it on the floor in front of the passenger seat, buckled my seat belt, reversed out of the driveway and stepped on the gas at full speed down the street.
As I stepped on the gas, I looked to my right to find my cake sliding forward underneath the dashboard. When I looked to the right, I turned the wheel to the left and in the split second that I took my eyes off the road to save my cake, I crashed into my neighbor’s car that was parked on the street. I was mortified. I saved my cake but ruined my parents car and I knew I was in big trouble!
After the wreck, I sat for a moment in silent disbelief. I looked around to see if there were any witnesses to what had happened. There was no one in sight. I sat for another moment contemplating my next move. There was nothing left to do but fess up. I squeezed out of the drivers side and ran back into the house in tears. I explained to my parents what had happened and their reaction surprised me. They were not irate or upset but forgiving and happy that I was alright.
That day my parents modeled for me how our Heavenly Father treats us when we run into trouble. Rather than condemn us, He loves us and He uses our troubles to develop endurance. That endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3-4)
So my friends, we must never quit. We must train our hearts and minds for endurance – the ability to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress or other adverse conditions. Knowing that once we have finished our race we will receive the eternal prize that is in Christ Jesus.
I challenge you today to ask yourself, “What kind of race am I running?”
Remember, you were born to win!
