It’s a Saturday morning, and I have many things to do. Beginnings of days are gushing with productivity, and nothing is going to stop me. But… as the day wears on… I’m am pushed and pulled towards other objectives. First, a room-mate is watching television and I’m mesmerized for a second, then, something happened on facebook, and then my interest gets caught up in one of a million other things. Suddenly my time is gone, and my list is still long.
In 1 Corinthians 9 we are exhorted to “exercises self-control in all things. They (athletes) do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control”
A week ago I finished the Glass City Marathon, and there is so much one can learn about life through running.
A marathon requires forethought and training, and part of that training is eating and drinking while running. Without drinking or eating during the race you will not make it to the finish line, so as I am running these 26.2 miles I eat and drink. However, I have not carelessly decided what I will eat/drink, I’ve prepared beforehand what is optimal for getting me to the finish line. I don’t eat candy, hot dogs, pop, or junk food. Specially designed sports drinks keep me hydrated and dried fruit give me bursts of energy. In a similar way we as Christians are to know what is best for sustaining our lives, and to make sure that we aren’t clogged down with indigestion in the middle of our own personal races.
Similarly, Hebrews 12:1-2 instructs us, in light of those who have finished the Christian life before us,
“let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,”
As I run I don’t want to carry anything more than I need to, and I also don’t want to go the wrong way as I run. I follow God, and lay down the weights of sin before Christ. I keep to my training, but there’s something that’s even more important for me to keep in mind.
In order for a runner to have good form the runner has to look straight ahead. If a runner is looking at the ground or at their shoes their form is bad, and they won’t be able to sustain their energy as well. Improper form can bring about serious injury.
When I run, my trick is to look at the horizon. If my eyes are on the horizon I know my form is good, and I can keep going. My mind even shifts beyond what is around me at that moment. I can look past the pain, and look forward to my goal. As I look beyond my present circumstance I feel my back align and my muscles synchronize with one another.
I can’t help but think that the writer of Hebrews had something similar in mind when he wrote,
“and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We have a wonderful example of running the Christian race, and not only that, we have a joy that’s beyond the grave. Our finish line is heaven, and our race is life.
Run with endurance and keep your eyes on Him.
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God Bless.
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