The Marathon of Life

Hebrews 12:1 (Good News translation) "As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us."

Life is not a sprint, it is a Marathon. We begin running the moment we take our first breath. I can't remember and neither can you that moment, but I wonder how many of us wanted to go back where we came from? Probably all of us. Those bright lights were probably not what we were looking for, and all that action? We were on the stage of life and it was curtain time. Since that moment we have all been running. Most never know where they are heading. 

Once we are born again of the spirit we know the direction we are headed. We find a greater purpose to run. We learn we never have to run alone. The word of God begins to unfold the course of life. When we get weary we know where to run. When we fall down we know who will be there to pick us up. We run with purpose.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT) "Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!"

​"Enthusiasm without knowledge is like running in the dark. Get on fire for God and men will come to see you burn." - John Wesley

 "If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm."
​ - Vince Lombardi

The monotony of life can get the best of all of us. If on the treadmill we grow weary and quit, then we will never have the stamina to run in the hard times. Each new day brings with it more pavement, more valleys, more hills, but we keep running so that we might know God. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) When we run the race set before us we understand what Jesus endured for our sakes. When we understand and see what Jesus went through, we fall more in love with Him, it's easier to praise Him in our own darkness, and we show Him to others by our example.

Action Step: Stay in the race. Don't give up. Rejoice in the uphill moments. Encourage the other runners on the trail. When you fall down, get back up. When you seem to be running on empty, fill up on the word of God. Take somebody with you who doesn't know the course. Life is a marathon and as the Body of Christ we run together, never alone. So, if you see someone running alone introduce them to the friend that will never leave them--one day they may be cheering you on.