a marathon.
I suppose that you could insert your own subject into the above sentence. In essence, life is like a marathon. It is a long road of perseverance with its share of ups and downs, and every runner must press on in order to finish. That is why Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Finishing life faithfully is seldom an easy task. It takes daily endurance. Sometimes it means seasons of loss and grief. Sometimes it means storms of terror and fear. Sometimes it means seasons of relative ease when the sun shines down and a cool breeze blows. And always it means endurance. In Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints, Randy Alcorn describes this faithful finish and endurance as "a long obedience in the same direction." He challenges readers toward this long obedience with several practical steps, though he admonishes readers to acknowledge the cost and effort of long obedience.
I ran my first half marathon this morning in New Prague, MN. I was not very prepared, but I was able to run the entire way without stopping or walking and finished in 2 hours and 32 minutes. It was 2 and a half glorious hours of praise songs and prayer time. At each mile marker I was reminded that God had brought me that far and that He would bring me to the finish. As I prayed for several friends who are persevering in loving service for God I specifically lifted up our friends the Leberts and the Pattersons and I know that they would appreciate your prayers for their long obedience on the journey that God has brought them. I was able to rejoice in the beauty of the day and countryside, though only 30-some degrees and snowing/sleeting and windy for most of the race. I knew that this day was a precious gift to be able to reflect on God's sovereignty and His sufficiency for the remainder of my life's race. It was my opportunity to rejoice in God's steady hand at work in my life and to ask Him to be beside me all the way to the finish.
Tonight I am tired and sore, but through this silly "relaxing" sport of running, I am reminded that my pain in parenting my precious kids is nothing compared to Christ's pain and loss at Calvary for the eternity of my soul. I am thankful that He is victorious for me!
3 comments:
great job on the marathon... i am very impressed... i am struggling with getting back into running... i just have had no motivation and can only think of all the thinks i need to get done at home... but i was encouraged/challenged (by your post) to pray/praise while i run... so thanks for that.
God bless you. - Janelle
beautiful post...thanks! I am only a runner in my dreams..but in my dreams, I feel the same peace, praise and freedom as you shared about.
I am so thankful to have friends like you on the side of the road cheering me on in this marathon of life!
Congrats on finishing the half marathon...and running the entire time as well! I was able to work out and jog a little right up to the day that I delivered Hannah and I'm itching to get my running shoes back on. While I am NOT a runner, I do love that precious time alone with my music and my Lord. I'm so grateful that God has given you the time and energy to run and I pray that you are able to continue to have that sweet, sweet time. I love you friend!
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