by Joanie Butman
My extended family and I participated in the 11-mile walking segment of the Big Sur Marathon last weekend. The views were spectacular. While we weren’t concerned with setting any records, we finished in a respectable amount of time. In fact, we finished faster than I anticipated. There’s nothing like watching elderly men and women pass you to add a pep to your step!
It was my first ‘race’ and I found it fascinating to observe the variety of participants. It ran the gamut from uber-athlete to those I was surprised could get up off the couch – and those were just my relatives! To some, the course seemed effortless while others struggled to finish. Each gait was unique. My daughter, an avid runner, pointed out those that wasted a lot of energy in their stride. The similarities to my spiritual journey were glaring. Often it seems like I’m making no progress, plodding uphill flailing aimlessly. When I find myself in that situation (which I do often), it’s crucial to rest, refocus and simply “be still and know that He is God.” He calms my body and soul, enabling me to begin again.
Somewhere around the half-way point, a runner sped by with Isaiah 40:31 in big, bold letters across his back. I was grateful for all those years memorizing scripture because this verse was divine encouragement for sure:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Without a doubt, the encouragement of others is an integral element to running a marathon, but even more so in our Christian walk. Christianity was never meant to be a solo endeavor. As Rick Warren mentioned in his devotional yesterday, “having good teammates alongside you is a whole lot more fun and less tiring!” So true. Walking with my family last weekend made the event easier and more fun. The same can be said of walking with a family of believers through the ups and downs of life.
Approaching the finish line with the crowd cheering, we broke into a jog for the photo op, or in my case, it was the bagels someone assured me would be waiting. I felt like an imposter running over the finish line with ‘real’ athletes. Even so, for someone who hasn’t run further than the refrigerator in years, walking 11 miles was an accomplishment.
More importantly, participating in the event made me appreciate why the apostle Paul employs race analogies so often in his writing. Life is a marathon. Only we can choose how we will run it. The author of Hebrews says:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).
We’ve all got our own race to run. God sets our course, and if we choose to allow Him, provides guidance, strength and endurance so we can “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). I never did find the bagels, but I was given a lovely ceramic ‘medal’ – no comparison to the “crown that lasts forever” waiting for me at my ultimate finish line! I’ll probably feel like an imposter then as well because my prize was earned by Christ - and is Christ. Namely, His choice to sacrifice His life as payment for my sins guarantees my entrance into Heaven where I get to enjoy eternity with Him. My choice is simply to accept His extravagant gift of grace – a decision that always makes me a winner!
I will leave you with some of Paul’s final words to his mentee, Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). While Paul’s words may sound self-congratulatory, he is simply describing what God’s grace empowered him to do. May we all choose to do the same.
