Therefore
we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2
Running
offers endless races: track, cross country, 5 Ks, 10ks, triathlons, marathons….
Runners are a particularly solo sort. They safety pin a number to their chests, vie for a spot at the crowded starting
line, and anticipate a gun’s signal to start their legs racing? They dole out thousands of dollars over their
lifetimes to purchase proper shoes and technical apparel, enter races, and
travel to venues? They consume time and
energy conditioning, goal setting, and strategizing.
Runners describe their
sport using words like exhilarating and
lifestyle despite slogging through
rain and snow half of the year, while others would prefer to label that drudgery and insane.
Those not inclined to run cannot imagine the reasoning for making a conscious decision to run aside from getting away from danger. Why
do runners enjoy the race?
- Is it the accolades: the fastest time or a picture taken with a medal hanging around their neck for the world to congratulate?
- Maybe it is a discovered niche, a place of community where honor and respect are found.
- While some might add they pound the pavement to solely maintain a healthy heart and lifestyle.
- Runners often condition to improve performance in other sports and areas of their lives like concentration.
- Maybe running displays a talent and offers a sense of confidence and significance.
- Runners love the euphoria of the mastery of a goal and the energy a good run provides.
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Maybe for all these reasons runners are best prepared for the run of their lives.
Because life also offers countless similar long and short distance runs:
relationships, high school, college, jobs, raising children, caring for
parents.
An
entire life long can be a race that runs us breathless. While some races keep our hearts running
fast, before we know it, our short runs in life are raced right through. Through some of life’s races, the numbers on
our chests flat pin us to the mat with only the gun start still ringing through
our head.
Why
do we choose to run our race? How can we successfully navigate these training
days to prepare for this life’s hard run days?
What is all the effort for? How
do we pace ourselves through life? When we trip across the finish line, why do
we choose to line up again at another start?
We
really don’t need to run to the head of the pack for a good race but rather
follow the Head of the Track.
Runners
of life, His race, find the joy in the trails God runs them through. And they know the trials of long run days are never run solo, but they
are step by step guided solely by the Author of our soul.
LIFE
runners don’t run for the accolades, but His promised apparel: the confidence,
significance, honor, respect, and community found in Him. A putting on of Him, a clothing ourselves and
allowing Him to wick away the sopping wet desires that rain down on our hearts
and stifle our breaths.
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