Let Us Run

Paul likened this life and our Christian journey to a race. A race to the finish where the test is not one of speed but endurance. Everyone who completes the race will receive the prize and the reward is a place in heaven. We cannot run with everyone and athletes train with others who can motivate and help them. I am not talking about becoming self seeking, but there are others who are not determined to run or who anticipate you carrying them along. We should stop to aid wounded friends and time spent to nurture those that are wounded will not cost us in the race. We have to be wise because there are some who choose not to run and you cannot slow down the pace to accommodate them.

Paul warns us to lay aside the weights and distractions that would become a stumbling block in our way. So that when we run we are lighter and not weighed down by heaviness. When you run, you have keep looking ahead. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

When our eyes are fixed on him then we will not stumble. When Peter walked on water he had to take his eyes off the storm and fix them on Jesus, in order to stay afloat (Matthew 14:22-33). I know the storm and tide around you can at times be dreadful, but don’t you know that Jesus can speak to the wind and they obey. Keep your eyes on him and run your race to finish and win, so that in the end we can testify like Paul. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬).

A.P.-Y.