Running a marathon is commonly one of the to Do’s on most people’s bucket list…well I’m not that person. Running is not something I would say I like to do. However,for people that do like and enjoy running there are different reasons why they would run. Some enjoy it as an exercise,as away to lose weight, others do it as a sport, and others may just simply just do it for the fun of it. If you are anything like me than you probably like nothing about running. I am honestly not the type of person that likes to physically run, I mean its sweaty,its tiring and is just not for me.
But besides the physical running that I don’t like to do, I do find that life in itself is a race in which we are all required to run. I believe that we were all born with a purpose and put on this earth for a reason and while we are here on earth each and everyone one of us is assigned with a race to run. We all have unique races that we need to run and non are the same in its entirety. Thus its important to run a race specific to you, to run your own race. We all have goals and things we want to do that we aim at and run towards but ultimately there is a race that was set up for us to run and that we need to run with intention, the ”race of faith”.The Bible compares the Christian life to a race,the race starts when you become a believer. Sometimes life also throws us races that we don’t necessarily expect but requires us to run anyway.
Just as a marathon isn’t easy and requires some discipline, so does the race of faith. There are great principles that we can learn from physically running, for example running requires endurance and endurance is one of the key principle we will need in the race of faith. Usually way before the marathon the runners go into strict training. He/She does whatever needs to be done to be in the shape that he/she needs to be in to endure the race to the very end. This usually requires self discipline . 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 reminds us that “in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize but we are to run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever”.
The race set before us will also require discipline and training. Daily principles like praying,worshiping and reading the bible trains us and helps us remain strong and ultimately run the race of faith with endurance as to get the crown that will last forever. The prize for our race of faith is eternal life.
The bible in Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us that “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with endurance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”.
In a marathon the runners usually run light, they don’t carry baggage or wear clothes that would weigh them down. In the same way, running the race of faith requires us to run light, to strip ourselves off of anything that will hinder us from crossing the finish line. Sin is one of the weight that hinders us in our faith journey. Sin entangles us, it keeps us bound to things we are suppose to be free from and thus discouraging us from running our race. Therefore it is vital to throw off everything that hinders us. In running our race we will also realize that there are those who have ran before us a “great cloud of witnesses” those who have fought the good fight of faith and finished strong are still giving witness to the fact that the race was indeed worth enduring.
Life can be so unpredictable that sometimes we find ourselves in races that we didn’t see coming. One of the unpredictable race that we all have to run this year that I can think of is that of Covid-19. This pandemic has affected almost everyone and in different ways and we are all required to keep moving and find ways to cope with this,to run our race. The bible tells us to run with endurance, the word endurance comes from the Greek word hupomonē, which means to be under and to remain there. Hupo is under, monē is to remain. Running any race is not easy , it is full of ups and downs as life happens to everyone, but to endure is to remain under the challenge to run while still under the difficulty or struggle. What we should remember is that this race is not about speed, but about faithfulness and perseverance.
It is important to know that you are not running against anyone but yourself. You are running to become better than the person you were yesterday, you are your own opponent and competition. A strategy runners often use is to pace themselves off. It’s essential to find your pace, sometimes you will be required to strive to run faster and other time you will need to stride.
One way that we can persevere in our race is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. So no matter what obstacle may come our way instead of looking at our problems or at our opponents we should look to Jesus who is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,the one who died for us who also encountered opposition for us but did not give up but instead endured the cross for our sake, he ran his race and he will give us the strength and power to run ours if we fix our eyes on him. Jesus not only starts us on our race of faith, but he runs right alongside us. He encourages us, refreshes and recharges us when we grow weary.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
May we all be able to say at the end of our life what Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7 ).
P.s Remember in the beginning of this post when I said I don’t like running?well, while I was writing this blog post, it motivated me to give running a chance (physically). I started going for early morning runs around my neighborhood. Running is teaching me a lot about self- discipline and endurance. I’m beginning to enjoy it as it also helps me clear my mind before I start my day. Who knows maybe running is for me after all 😉
Love and Light
~Vee
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