1 Corinthians 9: 24,25
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the
prize? So run, that you may obtain.
25 And every person that competes for a prize has self control in all things. Now they [do
it] to obtain a crown that decays; but we [do it for one] that does not decay.
Hebrews 12: 1,2
1 There since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which so easily besets [us], and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us,
2 Looking to Jesus the author and perfecter of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God.
re you running a marathon in
your life right now? Are you sure of your techniques? At this point you may be thinking;
'what are you talking about?' Well now that I have you guessing, let me start making
things clear.
Being the son of a keen marathon runner - I not only got a close
look at marathon races, but the techniques needed to get through the race. And it is
strange how it is so similar to the trails and tribulations we go through as Christians.
Let me show you what I mean. In a race there is only one goal; to
run on a preset course and to reach the end of the race before the time is up.
Is this not like our spiritual walk? We are running on a marathon
already run and won by our Lord and Savior. The best thing is, no matter what, we are all
winners because Jesus won the race for you and me.
One of the first things any runner learns is his pace. This is
the speed he needs to run at to be comfortable so as to conserve his energy. If he runs to
fast he will use all his energy up too soon and he will burn himself out. The less
experienced runners normally do this, but like all things - in time you learn.
Do we as spiritual runners need pace and if so have you found
your pace? The answer is yes, we do need pace. Have you found your pace? This is something
I must admit I still battle with at times. You see the problem and you just want to sink
your teeth right into it and sort it out. The only problem is you haven't found out what
the Lord wants you to do and Oh dear, you find yourself deeper in it than you ever hoped
to get into. This is when you stop and say, "Okay Lord what must I do?" and as
usual the Lord is there in a flash to help you out of the mess you have made - no matter
the size. The best thing is, the next race you run, you are that much the wiser and know
how you should handle it - with the Lord's help of course.
The next aspect about the marathon is that is not just a straight
run. It has up hills and down hills and surprisingly both are difficult. You see on the up
hills you have to lean forward a bit and take bigger steps to counter act the angle you
are running at which uses extra power. This process causes a stretching of the calf
muscles, which can cause a burning sensation in these muscles. You finally reach the top
of the hill you are climbing, only to find a downhill. You think it is all plane sailing
from here, or is it? In order to stay in control when running downhill you have to take a
smaller step than normal and also lean back a bit, this helps you not to speed up and mess
up your pace. This is also where a lot of athletes hurt themselves. You have been
stretching these calf muscles on the up hill and now on the downhill you bunch them up.
This is where cramping sets in.
Is this not how some of your problems go? There are times when it
feels like you are running up this hill that does not want to end. You are confessing
scriptures and you have this positive picture of the end result. It is tough going all the
way "up this hill" and just when things seem to be straightening out and getting
better, our spiritual downhill. Something happens, Spiritual cramping and you wonder if
you did it all in vain. Well, all you can and must do, is keep on going and you will see
things get better.
An interesting thing about marathon running; When you start the
race you feel fresh and energetic, but later on in the race you start to get tired and
sore. And just when you think you can't go on, you get what experts call your second wind.
This is something a runner experiences when his body slips into a sort of "comfort
zone" where it becomes easier to concentrate and his muscles don't hurt as bad. Our
second wind is the Holy Spirit who gives us the comfort and strength to carry on, no
matter the difficulty.
A very important thing that a runner must do is replace liquid,
lost through sweating, or dehydration will set in. For this reason there are watering
points all along the way, so that runners can receive water and energy drinks. It is also
a place where runners can have their cramping and aching muscles rubbed and eased.
How do we do this? By taking in as much of the Word as is
possible. You see not only does it give you a charge, but it also replaces what has been
given out. And if you need help to ease your aching muscles there is always some one
there, all you need to do is look and ask.
It is always great to watch a winner cross the finish line, but I
found that the true nature of the sport was not often found in the runners at the front,
but it was found in the ordinary guys at the back. Here is where you would find complete
strangers helping each other. This is where you saw runners carrying runners- even though
they to were weary and sore themselves, they could not stand to see a fellow runner suffer
or not finish he race. One incident that comes to mind was a group of guys that carried
this guy to the finish. What was strange was they did not cross the line with this guy in
hands, but instead they set him down just in front and let him cross the line on his own
steam. At the time I thought they were just being mean, but my dad told me later that the
guy had to cross it on his own or he would have been disqualified and lost the medal he so
rightfully deserved.
Are you the ordinary guy at the back? It sure does feels like it
to me sometimes, I don't know about you. One thing I know that there is always a fellow
runner around to help. What really helps, is to find the runner worse of than you and to
give him the support all the way to the end. Why? Well when you take your eyes off your
problem and help someone else in need, before long you are at the finish without even
realizing it. The funny thing is that more often than not other runners join you to help
you in what is going on and in so doing lighten the load for all that help. You are all so
busy looking after the other guy you forgot about the hardship you were all going through
and you all reach your goal together.
The Finish, Powerful words that bring many positive thoughts to
mind. Close your eyes and picture what it must be like for a runner that has been running
for 8 to 10 hours nonstop, to finally see the stadium where the race ends. It must be very
close to a person with no water finding an oasis in the desert. That stadium gives you
that final boost to get you to the finish. You keep your eyes on the stadium as if it is
your lifeline and run till you get there and enter a place packed with people that clap
and cheer you on all the way to the line that says Finish. And as you cross that line
everyone cheers even harder because they realize you have just achieved your goal and they
were there to see it happen. You cross the line and you receive the medal you have worked
so hard for and as you look at it all the pain and suffering you went through comes back
to you and you just know that it was all worth it.
We all have marathons in our lives that must be run. But with a
steady pace, plenty of water and a positive picture, you will be able to achieve your goal
and finish the race that has already been run and won for us by Jesus our Lord.
Happy Running.
