Running the Race
Real life experiences often make the scriptures come alive in new ways. Such is the case with the experience of running a marathon and then reading "race" metaphors found in the New Testament. I led a Bible study at church the week before running my first marathon and we studied Hebrews 11 and 12. Chapter 12 begins with a race metaphor that now has more intense meaning for me. Let me cite two examples:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses," (RSV)
At Duluth (Grandma's Marathon), we were literally surrounded by well wishers. Thousands of people lined the course, helping and cheering. That group included my wife and three kids who used in-line skates to find me toward the end and encourage me when things were by far the toughest. The crowd carried me early on. I basically ran without pain or major struggle for 22 miles. When I hit the proverbial wall, my family's voices lifted my spirits so that I could get near to the finish line. Near the end, when exhaustion had consumed me, a former student and another family of dear friends added their voices to the encouragement. All other faces and voices were a blur, but the people and voices I knew personally were clear and resonant, and they brought me home to the finish line.
Faith life is also a marathon, a long distance struggle with no guarantee of an easy finish. How comforting to know the crowd is there. Saints, including ones of our own family, are cheering for us. They see our struggle, but they never criticize or jeer. It is always encouragement that comes to us--smiles, cool wet sponges, and drinks of water. They've finished, and now they'll make sure we finish, too.
"looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."
Since beginning our training, Barry (our Webmaster) and I knew our number one goal was to finish. The finish line would bring a victory to both of us, regardless of time. Both of us suffered in getting there, and certainly Barry, who picked up a virus late in the week, suffered more than I did. Nevertheless, the focus to finish was an important factor in not giving up.
As Christians, we have the face of Jesus to focus on. He is the unchangeable part of faith life. He cannot be moved or hidden or blotted from view. We can find his face from any angle, in any circumstance, under any conditions. He is at the right hand of God and cannot be moved. We move toward him every day, sometimes running comfortably and other times laboring clumsily. He's been in our shoes, He's run his race on Earth, and He understands it all, every step.
We have finished the marathon and are thankful to count it as a victory--not easy, not pretty, not without suffering. We have not yet finished the run of faith. I'm sure there will be times to come that are neither easy nor pretty. But, the encouragers are there. I can hear their magic voices and see the light in their eyes. The person of Jesus Christ is there, too. He understands the long race. He's run it. And, he won't move until we arrive at the finish line.
About the Author:
Steve Graner is a Christian educator and familyman employed by the Minot, ND Public School District. A licensed laypastor, he is passionate about Christian writing and Christian drama. Along with family and friends, Steve has performed numerous self-written dramas and musicals for area church audiences.